Low cost carrier Tiger Airways Australia has resumed flights after being grounded for more than a month.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) suspended the airline’s operating certificate on July 2, due to concerns over safety fears.
Tiger has now been permitted to resume operations, but is limited to flying 18 sectors a day for the rest of the month.
The airline has started flying from Melbourne to Brisbane and Sydney, but has not returned to a full schedule on the routes, and flights to other destinations remain suspended.
Tiger has also been given new conditions by the CASA to retain the operating licence, including increased simulator and ground training for pilots.
John McCormick, CASA's director of aviation safety, said Tiger had demonstrated to CASA it can comply with the conditions on its air operator's certificate and meet the necessary safety requirements.
"Tiger Airways has co-operated with CASA's investigation and is to be credited for a constructive approach, he said.
"CASA will be closely monitoring the operations of Tiger Airways through scheduled surveillance and regular spot checks. We will also be meeting regularly with the airline to review ongoing safety performance and compliance with the conditions on the airline's operations."
The conditions Tiger must meet also cover the rostering and fatique management of pilots, how current its operational manuals are, and the appointment of additional personnel in “key positions” – the airline has already announced the appointment of a new safety advisor.
Vanessa Regan, Tiger’s head of marketing and communications, said the airline will now focus on reassuring the Australian public that safety is the highest priority, while resuming services “gradually”.
“We are now returning to Australian skies with what we believe is an improved product that is safe, affordable and more reliable for the long term,” she said.