AirAsia to take off from Avalon

THE sky is the limit for Geelong, with official confirmation that international flights will fly in and out of Avalon Airport by the end of the year.

AirAsia co-founder and chief executive officer Tony Fernandes visited Avalon on Sunday for the announcement that his airline would offer twice daily flights to and from Kuala Lumpur.

The budget carrier expects half a million international passengers will fly in and out of Avalon (which will become Victoria’s second international airport) in its first 12 months.

Mr Fernandes said the next two likely destinations after Malaysia would be Thailand and Indonesia, but AirAsia X – which is moving its operations from Tullamarine – could ultimately fly at least five or six routes.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. It’s starting; there’s no turning back.”

He said he wanted the consistent average cost of a flight between Avalon and Kuala Lumper to be about $150.

Avalon’s terminal will get a $20 million expansion to accommodate the international services, and the project will create 33 construction jobs and more than 200 ongoing jobs.

The announcement was held in Avalon’s Hangar 1, and was attended by federal, state and local government representatives including Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll, Linfox founder Linsday Fox, Linfox Airports executive chair David Fox, and AirAsia X Malaysia chief executive officer David Fox.

Ms Bishop said the opportunities for economic development and more jobs for the Geelong region through tourism, business travel and exports should not be underestimated.

Avalon Airport chief executive officer Justin Giddings was thrilled with the deal finally being done.

“It’s just the best news, it’s something we’ve been working on for so many years,” he said.

“We’re going to one destination, but going on to another 130 destinations (from Kuala Lumpur) is just the perfect way to get Avalon Airport into international flights.

“Having the freight as well; that’s something Lindsay’s dreamed of for many years, having fresh fruit and vegetables and other products from this region into Asia.”