SINGAPORE,Oct. 29 -- Singapore's budget airlines Tigerair launched a trial to allow guide dogs for visually impaired passengers on its flights, Channel NewsAsia reported Wednesday.

The trial, which was conducted with the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind, carried guide dog Esme and her owner Cassandra Chiu to Phuket, Thailand on Wednesday. Tigerair wants to test if it's applicable to allow guide dogs aboard flight after the company was criticized because it refused such dogs to board its flight last year.

"Allowing guide dogs on board Tigerair flights would be in line with our care and concern for customers requiring special assistance," Ho Yuen Sang, chief operating officer of Tigerair, told Channel NewsAsia, adding that Tigerair will continue to take proactive steps to assist customers with special needs.