"New opportunities came up," Gan, who joined the carrier in January, told The Straits Times.

"I've had several good offers, but I'm still here because the board asked me to stay and help launch the airline," Gan was quoted as saying.

Rumours of Gan's impending departure first surfaced early last month before Tiger launched its inaugural flights to Thailand.

The launch of promotional, S$1 (RM2.30) flights to Bangkok, Phuket and Hat Yai overloaded the carrier's online booking system and caused a Web gridlock that shut down the reservation systems.

An avalanche of complaints poured in from customers. Gan described the launch as "a huge success".

Tiger Airways is a partnership between Singapore Airlines, Temasek Holdings, the founders of Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, and US-based marketing and business strategy consultants Indigo Partners.

The carrier confirmed on Friday that Gan would be leaving the company. It said a replacement CEO would be appointed shortly.

Gan said suggestions from industry watchers that he was asked to go by an unhappy board were not true.

"I've put together a very rigorous structure and a strong management team," he said.

"Tiger Airways will be a success."