Prior to the pandemic, Avalon Airport was Victoria’s second international airport, with AirAsia X operating double daily services between AVV and Kuala Lumpur. VietJet Air, who recently commenced flights to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, was also set to fly to the hub – with a non-stop service between Avalon and Ho Chi Minh City – while other Asian destinations were also on the cards.
Now, more than three years after operating its last regular international services thanks to the pandemic, Avalon Airport has designs on returning to its international status.
“We are talking to multiple international airlines who are increasingly seeing our strong [passenger] catchment and value proposition based on cost and high-tech solution and services delivered through our partner Elenium,” Avalon Airport CEO Tony Brun told Karryon.
When asked about the airlines, he said, “there are three and they’re all full-service and have good on-connection routes”.
On a side note, Brun specifically mentioned Fiji Airways, who recently confirmed to Karryon it would be announcing new routes to Australia possibly as soon as next month.
“On Fiji Airways, it’s worth noting they are reaching their bi-lateral limits through Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, so they won’t likely fly to Perth, and if they want to grow Melbourne, Australia’s largest city, they can only realistically do it through us.”
People power
The Avalon boss said the 60-minute catchment from AVV is now 3.3 million people, making it the third largest airport catchment in Australia.
“This is 800,000 more than the planned Western Sydney Airport, and we’re growing faster – with an ABS forecast catchment population of 4.6 million people by 2036.”
That catchment, “despite some misconceptions”, comes “primarily from metropolitan Melbourne, with mobile data confirming 70-80 per cent originating or arriving into Melbourne, and not regional areas”.
“This should not be a surprise given it’s under 45 minutes to the CBD. We are also serviced by SkyBus, like Melbourne Tullamarine, with a drive time only 15 minutes longer,” Brun stated.
Moreover, he said Avalon is currently “working closely to deliver a rail station connection with the Victorian Government” that will deliver sub-45-minute train trips into Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.
“The aim is to have the station open by 2026 in time for the Commonwealth Games and many years before Melbourne Tullamarine get their connection,” he told Karryon.
Brun also pointed out that AVV hosts “the largest airshow in the southern hemisphere with 248,000 people attending this year’s event”.
“The Victorian Government also announced in April we are the preferred site for the new Home of Victorian Motorsports, to be run by Motorsports Australia,” he said.
“The facility will be Formula One and MotoGP accredited and will likely also host 2-3 rounds of the V8 Supercars annually.”
Aussie carrier Bonza is the newest airline to fly to Avalon Airport, operating its first service from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast earlier this year.
This is definitely a space worth watching.
For more information on Avalon Airport, click here.