To prepare for future battles, carriers are trying to arm themselves with more routes. Consider that just this year AirAsia announced a new Vietnam joint venture, Jetstar Airways signed an agreement with Singapore's Changi Airport to build a new hub for long-haul passengers and expand its existing short-haul hub at the facility, and Tiger Airways raised $178 million in a four-times covered initial public offering to fund future aircraft deliveries and network expansion.So far, AirAsia, which is the market leader in passenger traffic and revenue, seems to have the lead. The real scrap at the moment is between Melbourne-based Jetstar and Singapore-based Tiger. Bruce Buchanan, chief executive at Jetstar, and Tony Davis, chief executive at Tiger, are both confident -- almost too confident -- that they will succeed. Full Story
