Melbourne Avalon Airport to go international with Air Asia flights to Kuala Lumpur
Updated
After years of announcements and promises, Avalon Airport, near Geelong, is finally set to become an international airport as Air Asia announces regular services to Kuala Lumpur, with flights expected to start by the end of the year.
The project will see up to 220,000 passengers pass through the airport every year, opening up Geelong and the Great Ocean Road to more international visitors.
A new terminal will be constructed which will be capable of exporting 14 tonnes of fresh Victorian produce every day.
The Victorian Government has invested $1.5 million in infrastructure works at the airport to ensure Jetstar will continue to operate from the airport, a second, curfew-free airport for the state.
There have been repeated pushes to establish Avalon as a second international airport for Victoria but none have come to fruition.
In 2014, the airport struck a deal with the HNA Group, which runs Hainan Airlines, to operate flights between Avalon and China.
The year before, Australia and the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding to allow Australian and Philippine carriers to operate services between Avalon and the Philippines.
In 2012, the Federal Government approved changes to Avalon's lease agreement, allowing it to build an international terminal.
In 2015, the Victorian Government announced a $12 million deal to keep local carrier Jetstar operating domestic services out of Avalon.
The airline recently announced plans to scrap its service between Avalon and Hobart, citing low demand.
Avalon Airport is owned by the logistics company the Linfox group, which purchased the airport from the Commonwealth in 1997.
First posted
