Global aviation giant backs Avalon’s freight ambitions

AVALON Airport has signed a partnership with a global aviation services company, pitching itself as a disruption-free alternative during the construction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway.

The memorandum of understanding, signed last week with Dubai-based aviation services provider dnata, will see the two organisations explore ways to grow international freight volumes, attract new cargo services and strengthen Avalon’s freight handling capability.

Avalon Airport chief executive Ari Suss said the airport had already invested in infrastructure, including its $8 million Avalon Cargo air freight terminal, and the agreement would help position Avalon as a major international freight hub while attracting new passenger and cargo airlines.

Melbourne Airport is due to begin work on its third runway later this year, with construction expected to continue until 2031.

Suss said the project would create an opportunity for Avalon to offer airlines and freight operators a less congested, 24-hour alternative.

“There’s the third runway works, which is going to see a lot more disruption, particularly after hours at night, and an opportunity to see aircraft landing here instead,” he said.

“For customers, it’s giving greater certainty because they’ve got an available 24/7 curfew-free airport at their disposal.”

Headquartered in Dubai, dnata runs ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services at airports in more than 30 countries across six continents.

Globally, the company handled 3.2 million tonnes of cargo in the previous financial year.

dnata Airport Services Australia managing director Burt Sigsworth said Australia’s freight task was only expected to grow, while capacity constraints at major airports created opportunities for emerging gateways such as Avalon.

“We’ve got legacy airports that are constrained with capacity,” he said

“It makes sense that from a Victorian perspective that those airlines will want to come here and still be very close to Melbourne city proper.

“For us, it’s a good opportunity to be in on the ground level as that volume increases.”

Suss said dnata’s expertise would strengthen Avalon’s pitch when competing for new domestic and international airlines.

“If there’s a need to build a lounge for a full service airline, dnata has lounge operator expertise that we could tap into,” he said.

“It’s those sorts of things that we can bring to the table.

“We don’t have to be experts in all these things. It’s about having a partner that can help us present the solution.”

United Arab Emirates Embassy counsellor Adhra Almansoori said the partnership between Avalon Airport and dnata represented the growing confidence in the economic relationship between Australia and the UAE.