A MELBOURNE businessman is considering launching a class action against grounded carrier Tiger Airways after his family's Sunshine Coast holiday plans were thrown into chaos.

Nick Kenfield had no idea his flight had been cancelled until he arrived at Melbourne airport at 4.30am on Saturday.

Police patrolling the grounds had to deliver the Geelong father the news that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority had suspended the operations of Tiger for one week due to several safety concerns.

It cost Mr Kenfield about $550 for a last-minute one-way ticket with Virgin to Brisbane, where he then jumped on a bus to make his way to Mooloolaba.

His mother and sister, who were flying from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, had to fork out $600 extra between them.

His father managed to secure a $100 ticket on a late-night flight yesterday.

Mr Kenfield said Tiger's offer of a refund or travel voucher was not adequate.

“Our family is seriously out of pocket and we are not alone,” he said.

“I would understand if it was because of an ash cloud because that would be out of their control.

“But this is ridiculous. It seems they are only looking after themselves.”

Mr Kenfield said after the safety authority issued Tiger with a show-cause notice in March, the airline should have improved.

“But CASA has found there have been further events raising concerns about the airline's ability to continue to conduct operations safely,” he said.

“A lawsuit might be the only way people are going to be reimbursed and I am going to look into the legalities of it.”

Mr Kenfield said he had flown with Tiger about four times.

“Yes, Tiger has cheap flights and when you are looking at $69 over $269, it is easy to be swayed by price,” he said.

“But this incident is the last straw. I got no personal sorry from Tiger, no let me help you, nothing.

“Our accommodation was paid for and my young son, who lives on the Coast, was looking forward to my visit.

“We didn't want to just cancel our plans which had been in place for a long time.”

Tiger Airways says it has already taken steps to address the safety concerns that led to it being grounded.