New Avalon CEO should lock in rail line

JUSTIN Giddings is departing Avalon Airport but will remain in aviation as the new chief executive officer of the AMDA Foundation.

Mr Giddings, who announced his resignation earlier this month, said there was not an exact timeline for his departure but it would be soon.

He said securing a rail link to Avalon should be at the top of the list for the aiport’s incoming CEO, whoever that might be.

“By 2025, Sydney will have two international airports, both with rail connections, and Victoria won’t have any, so I think that is something that just really needs to happen.

“Especially when Melbourne Airport get theirs (rail) in 2030, if we haven’t got one, it’s going to be very difficult to encourage airlines to come down.

“Rail is super-important and the number one priority.”

Mr Giddings said continuing development of the airport property itself was also important, given the recent volatility in the aviation market.

“(The new CEO) has got a dedicated and loyal team there, they’ve got a great and loyal board of directors, and they’re working for a great family.”

Mr Giddings will take over the top job at the AMDA Foundation from Ian Honnery, who has been its CEO for nearly five decades.

AMDA organises and runs several major defence and industry expos, including the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Expo, held biannually at Avalon Airport.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to stay involved in the industry, to stay in Geelong, but also personally to branch out into other sectors that I’ve had little exposure to in the past, but also to work for a not-for-profit and an organisation whose charter is all about helping the industry especially in Australia and bringing international exposure to Australia as well,” Mr Giddings said.

“I’ve been there (at Avalon) 13 years, and I loved it, and I still love it, and I walk out the door with a lot of friends and lot of respect for (Avalon Airport owners) Linfox and Lindsay and his family, but this is a great opportunity.”

Mr Giddings said finally attracting an international airline to Avalon was one of his highlights as the airport’s CEO, as well as securing a long-term agreement with JetStar.

Coincidentally, AirAsia’s announcement that it would move from Tullamarine to Avalon was almost exactly four years ago.

“Becoming international after so many years of trying to get it … it was very difficult to pull off, lots of people were supporting me (and) all levels of government, all of my team were right behind me – it was just sensational,” Mr Giddings said.

“The whole of Geelong, really, embraced it, and it was very successful up until COVID hit, so hopefully now the borders are opening, we’ll start to see them come back.”