Avalon gears up for Air Asia

Flights to KL in three weeks

SMART gates and specialist security infrastructure is being installed at Avalon as the airport gears up for its first international flight in less than three weeks.

Australian Border Force has confirmed security staff are being trained before the December 5 launch of Air-Asia flights from Avalon to Malaysia.

The Geelong Advertiser understands there will be more than 50 staff hired but the department has remained tight-lipped on the number due to security concerns.

An ABF spokesman said security positions at Avalon Airport would be filled with a mix of current officers and new staff, including some of the 29 recruits who graduated in Victoria last week.

Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings, pictured, said the terminal was in its “final fit-out stage” with testing of security systems and some staff training due to start next week.

“The CCTV is all in — the furniture won’t go in until the last minute. We are starting to focus on the operational side of things,” Mr Giddings said.

The ABF confirmed the airport would be fitted with specialist Customs and immigration infrastructure, including Customs controlled areas, areas for examination of goods subject to Customs control, administrative office space and staff space. Technology such as smart gates will also be fitted.

“In addition, there will be infrastructure associated with import/export of manifested cargo. ABF officers working at the Avalon International Airport will help boost the local economy by supporting local businesses,” the spokesman said.

Mr Giddings said visitors to the terminal had commented on the ease of access to Avalon — a feature he hopes will draw passengers and airline carriers.

“There are a lot of airlines interested . . . I think there’s a natural movement to New Zealand and other destinations in Asia. They are the low hanging fruit,” he said.

The airport boss said more accommodation options in central Geelong and at key tourist destinations would allow the region to fully capitalise on the opportunity Avalon had provided.

“This event is bigger than I first thought. The amount of investment, not only going into this terminal but into other areas, I think it’s a gamechanger,” Mr Giddings said.

“This is a reflection of how well Geelong is going and we expect the demand to be high.”

He said the airport would give visitors from Asia better access to Geelong, the Great Ocean Road and other areas, including Ballarat.

“It opens it up for everyone — but more accommodation in the CBD is something we have found to be a shortage from day one,” he said.