Image is everything in the marketing world and Tigerair is understandably keen to maintain the integrity of its brand.
The low-cost airline's official furry ambassador Toby is expected to visit the national capital later this year when new services are launched between Canberra and Brisbane.
Toby was missing in December when the first Tigerair flights arrived from Melbourne.
The Canberra Times can reveal an "impostor" filled the breach.
Toby's celebrity status relates to regular appearances at Melbourne Storm NRL home games as part of the airline's sponsorship.
Toby struts around AAMI Park as a vigorous, masculine tiger in keeping with Tigerair's aggressive discounting.
The impostor who filled in at Canberra looks more like someone who bought a onesie and slapped a tacky shirt over the top.
It's not an image the marketing gurus at Tigerair want to perpetuate, but the ring-in has made cameo appearances in news stories that involve the airline's growing Canberra operations.
Tigerair politely asked Fairfax Media to use alternative pictures in future.
A spokesman said Toby was busy in Sydney last year when the first Melbourne flights arrived in the capital.
Canberra Airport apparently organised a substitute from the zoo.
"We've got our own mascot," the spokesman said.
"It's a bit of a talking point in our team about the impostor tiger mascot who's got a squashed head, wearing a Steve Irwin vest."
Melbourne Storm fan Toby is likely to receive a warm welcome from Canberra Raiders fans on September 14, even if the weather is chilly.
Canberra residents have embraced the low-cost Tigerair flights to Melbourne and the new Brisbane service is also expected to be popular.
Toby the Tiger ventured out to the airport terminal earlier this week to spread some Easter cheer and surprise customers with chocolates, prizes and travel vouchers before take-off. Happy Easter from the whole team at Tigerair! Posted by Tigerair Australia on Saturday, 15 April 2017
