By NISHA RAMCHANDANI

WITH the Great Singapore Sale well under way, even some airlines are trying to get in on the action.

Singapore Airlines and budget carrier Tiger Airways - partly owned by SIA - will launch a host of promotional deals today to popular regional destinations, just in time for the June holidays.

SIA is offering two-to-go return economy fares via its website for travel between June 18 and July 18 to 13 hotspots including Bangkok, Shanghai, Perth and Ho Chi Minh City. Prices for a round trip economy ticket (including taxes and surcharges) range between $328 and $788. In addition, SIA has two-to-go fares to Kuala Lumpur and Penang for travel until Aug 31, starting at $315.

Tiger Airways is offering one-way specials to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangalore, Guangzhou and Darwin, among other places. The fares, including taxes and charges, start from $39. The travel period - between July and October - varies according to the destination. Bookings for the specials end this Friday.

Amid the challenging operating environment, Tiger Airways is quick to point out that it exercised strict financial discipline to maintain a low cost base. The group, which has plans to increase its fleet to 72 aircraft by 2016, uses new jets like the fuel-efficient Airbus A320 to fly to India, China, South-east Asia and Australia.

"While other airlines increase fares and charges, Tiger Airways remains true to our promise of consistent low fares and no fuel surcharges," said chief operating officer Steve Burns.

SIA is also confident it will be able to weather the aviation storm. Speaking on the sidelines of the recent International Air Transport Association (Iata) annual general meeting in Turkey last week, SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said SIA has the capacity to cope with huge current fuel bills because of its strong balance sheet and sound strategies.

This article was first published in The Business Times on June 10, 2008.