WE'RE READY FOR TAKEOFF
FIRST LOOK: AVALON OPENS INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
Terminal a ‘dream come true’ after decade-long battle
Half a million tipped to fly in the first year
Hawaii, Bali, NZ & Singapore now on radar
THE Geelong region has opened its doors to the world, with the official opening of Avalon Airport’s new international terminal yesterday.
The first AirAsia flight will touch down at the airport Wednesday morning, with flights to Kuala Lumpur to take off from the new multmillion-dollar terminal daily.
Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings said talks to lure other airlines to Victoria’s second international airport were already under way, with Hawaii, New Zealand, Singapore among potential future destinations.
He said flights to Bali were a “no-brainer”.
“Our mission is to be the best small airport in the world by providing passengers the service they expect of an international airport with the best price and greater efficiency,” Mr Giddings said.
“This terminal has room for expansion, and we look forward to announcing further routes, and to housing further airlines in the future.”
The build cost about $48 million, and 1100 workers were inducted to work on the site, with the building comprising floor area of 6370sqm with a 985 sqm mezzanine.
The terminal hosts intelligent CT cabin baggage screening, and Avalon – owned by Linfox – will be Australia’s first airport to operate the state-of-the-art technology.
Two duty-free stores, a bar and cafe, and Tourist Refund Scheme facilities are also available.
Corangamite Liberal MP Sarah Henderson declared the long-awaited opening – a decade after AirAsia first appeared set to move into Avalon – an “incredible day” for the region and state.
Linfox Airports Executive Chairman David Fox said there were “in excess of 100 brand new, full-time employees within this environment from the airline, baggage services, security and retail” and “in excess of 100” Australian Border Force members.
Mr Fox yesterday reflected on Avalon’s “long, long” journey to becoming international.
September 2007 was slated as the potential first launch date for AirAsia into Avalon, and Geelong council had given planning approval for an international terminal.
But the Department of Defence, which owned the land, rejected the proposal.
Mr Fox declared yesterday “a dream come true”, saying “we have been dreaming about this for 20-odd years.”
He told the Addy: “We’re in discussions with several other airlines ... we’re after point-to-point destinations”.
Mr Giddings said “we really built this as a catalyst for growth”.
“In another 10 years, you’d really hope you’ve got two or three million passengers a year internationally coming through,” he said.
AirAsia estimates about 500,000 international passengers will pass through the airport in the first year.
The flights to Kuala Lumpur open access to more than 130 international destinations, with the airline shifting its operations from Tullamarine to Avalon.
The new international operations were announced in February, and then-Treasurer Scott Morrison turned the first sod at the site in May.
More than 63,500 work hours have gone into construction, with the federal government contributing $20 million to the project, and the State Government also providing support.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne attended the opening celebrations, with representatives from local, state and federal government present, as well as high-profile guests including Linfox founder Lindsay Fox.
City of Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Peter Murrihy said “it’s impossible to overstate just how much this international terminal, and the arrival of AirAsia, will mean for Geelong and surrounds.”
“The latest figures from Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine show we receive around 5.1 million visitors each year, injecting a combined $937 million into our local economy,” he said.
“Helped along by international flights, those numbers are expected to climb to more than 7 million visitors and $1.4 billion in expenditure by 2030.
“That would represent 25 per cent growth in the 15-year period from 2015.”
“Our mission is to be the best small airport in the world.” AVALON AIRPORT CEO JUSTIN GIDDINGS