Singapore budget carrier Tiger Airways said yesterday the Philippines aviation regulator extended by a week its temporary permit to operate services between Macau and an airport north of Manila.

Tiger Airways can now continue to operate the flights between the southern Chinese enclave and Clark International Airport until January 27. The current temporary permit expires on Friday, January 20.

The Civil Aeronautics Board had earlier said it suspended Tiger Airways' temporary permit due to alleged violations.

Despite the suspension, the CAB allowed Tiger Airways to continue servicing the route to accommodate passengers who bought tickets in advance, and while the airline applies for a permanent permit.

The low-fare carrier, which is 49-percent owned by Singapore Airlines, said in a statement it understands a decision by the CAB on its application for a permanent permit may be made before January 27.

"Tiger Airways appreciates the efforts being made by all parties in the Philippines to allow it to continue operating this service without disruption," the statement said.

Tiger Airways' low-fare flights between Singapore and Clark were unaffected by the decision. Clark is a former US air base located near a popular tourist destination north of Manila.

CAB executive director Eduardo Mañalac had said the airline was found to have violated several operating conditions of the Macau-Clark route, including charging rates that have not been approved by the board and falsely claiming the services had been approved.

The airline was also found to have advertised and sold seats even before lodging an application with the aviation industry regulator, Mañalac said.*AFP

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