Australia is growing its budget airline fleet with two more additions, Tiger Airways and AirAsia X, operating on the Gold Coast and Melbourne starting in November.

The Gold Coast, one of Australia’s major backpacking hubs with nightlife and beautiful surf beaches will now offer new cheaper air services to Asia and other parts of Australia starting in November with plans to expand further including New Zealand in the near future.

Singapore’s Tiger Airways www.tigerairways.com will start daily flights from Melbourne to Gold Coast starting November 23.  While even sooner on November 3 Malaysia’s AirAsia X www.airasia.com will start four direct services a week between Kuala Lumpur and the Goldie.

Budget airlines have been a growing trend in most countries as travelers are prepared to give up freebies and frills.  Airlines like Virgin blue www.virginblue.com.au and JetStar www.jetstar.com have already proven to be a success in Australia.

The lower prices are a result of several compromises, but airlines claims safety and security is not one of them.  Tiger Airways have purchased 50 brand new Airbus A320’s to grow its fleet to 70 Airbus aircraft.  They say by operating newer aircrafts ensures better fuel efficiency with the latest technology and comfort in traveling.

Most savings come from booking made directly on their internet sites, ticket less travel with no print or distribution costs and by operating at budge terminals or secondary airports.  Also, passengers only pay for what they want and use like onboard flight entertainment, meals and excess luggage.

In some ways this offers the flyer more choices with lower costs.  You can always bring a few snacks of your own.  Just leave the full water bottles behind as most airports are still not allowing some liquids through the security checks.

ExplorerGirls / Courtney Crow