Airport support group to take off

AVALON Airport is trying to assemble an advocacy group to help secure its first international carrier.

The airport has had an informal support group for the past year, but with the news the Federal Government has finally given the green light to develop an international passenger terminal at Avalon, the push is on to build on the momentum.

Based on a business development group called Team Melbourne, which works on behalf of Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine, the Avalon group would comprise city leaders adding their weight to the push and hopefully opening airline boardroom doors.

The group has a working title of ‘‘Go Avalon’’ but is yet to decide exactly who it wants to include.

‘‘It would be mainly Geelong people, but we would have other people involved as well, hopefully the State Government and Melbournebased business,’’ Avalon chief executive Justin Giddings said.

Mr Giddings said the group should be headed by the Mayor of Geelong.

Mayor John Mitchell said it was important to seize the momentum from Friday’s announcement by the Federal Government to change the lease arrangement for Avalon to allow international flights.

‘‘This is about trying to progress what has been a long and complicated process as quickly as we can,’’ Cr Mitchell said.

‘‘When you have the head of the city leading something like this, it does make a difference.

‘‘We need to act on it quickly to keep the ball rolling because f or every international flight that lands at Avalon, the region will benefit to the tune o f $100,000.’’