Avalon Airport
Encyclopedia
Avalon Airport is the second busiest of the four airports serving Melbourne (in passenger traffic) and is located in Avalon
, Victoria
, Australia
, which is 15 km (9.3 mi) north-east of the city of Geelong and 50 km (31.1 mi) to the south-west of the state's capital
city of Melbourne
.
The airport is designed to cater for jet aircraft
and comprises a single runway
. Avalon is used by Jetstar Airways
and Sharp Airlines
for scheduled domestic passenger services and as a heavy maintenance facility by Jetstar's parent company, Qantas
. Tiger Airways began scheduled passenger services from Avalon in November 2010, however, these flights have now been suspended indefinitely. It is also the site of the biennial Australian International Airshow
. Previously, air traffic control
was only provided at Avalon on request, but on 16 May 2008 it was announced that regular air traffic control facilities would be provided.
Avalon Airport lies between the You Yangs
, Corio Bay
and Melbourne Water
sewage treatment agistment
paddocks. The airport continues to fall under the jurisdiction of the Australian Department of Defence
.
The airport had 94,180 passengers for the month January 2011.
Avalon Airport was opened in 1953, to cater for the production of military aircraft. Previously the Government Aircraft Factories
located at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne had used a runway beside their factory. However, newer jet aircraft required a longer runway length for safe operations, and the Fishermans Bend runway was being encroached upon by development. Land near Lara was purchased by the Commonwealth Government for a new facility. The site of the airport was originally part of the Avalon homestead and sheep station.
A 10000 ft (3,048 m) runway was built by Country Roads Board
, with the first plane landing on 3 April 1953 - a four-engined Avro Lincoln
heavy bomber
flown from Fishermans Bend. The Canberra
light bomber
was under construction at same time at the new airport. In 1959, Qantas established a training base at the site.
In 1985 the Government Aircraft Factories changed its name to Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA). Aircraft produced during this time included the CAC Sabre
jet fighter
, GAF Jindivik
remotely piloted aircraft
, and Nomad
civil aircraft. Under the ASTA banner, engines for the Dassault Mirage III
jet fighters
were produced, as well as assembly of the F/A-18 multirole combat aircraft
for the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF).
In October 1988, the ASTA Aircraft Services division took the first Boeing 747
to Avalon for servicing and maintenance
. By December 1993, fifty 747 aircraft had been through the Avalon facility, and 820 people were employed at the site. October 1995 saw a Cathay Pacific
Lockheed L-1011 flown to Avalon for scrapping by ASTA Aircraft Services, in what was a one off event.
Training of pilots from Japan
's All Nippon Airways
commenced at Avalon on 8 September 1993.
On 27 June 1995 Aerospace Technologies of Australia was privatised
by the Commonwealth Government
, selling the aircraft divisions to Rockwell Australia Limited
, and the airport operations to Avalon Airport Geelong Pty Ltd. The ASTA airliner overhauling facility was closed in 1997.
The first scheduled passenger flights out of Avalon were operated by Hazelton Airlines
, who commenced flights between Avalon Airport and Sydney
in February 1995. 36-seat Saab 340
aircraft were used for the service. The service was discontinued after a short time due to a lack of patronage.
In 1997 the Australian government decided Avalon was no longer needed and it was leased to Linfox
, a company owned by Lindsay Fox
.
Avalon Airport welcomed Jetstar in 2004 and Tiger Airways in 2010 to operate into and out of the facility. However, Tiger Airways flights have now been suspended indefinitely.
Avalon Airport was one of three sites considered for the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets
which are being moved from West Melbourne
to allow development of the Port of Melbourne
. A site in Epping
was ultimately chosen as the preferred site.
Malaysian long haul budget airline AirAsia X
has been awarded rights to operate to Avalon Airport from Kuala Lumpur
. Avalon was considered the preferred option, however the need to construct customs facilities ruled it out for the first destination in Australia.
In a bid to attract potential airlines, airport owner Lindsay Fox embarked on an overseas tour in 2007. Airlines from India, Macau and Australia's Jetstar have been named as possible users. In June 2008, the initial proposal for the international terminal was rejected by the Federal Government for a number of unspecified reasons. This setback will mean Avalon cannot meet AirAsia's timetable of flying into Avalon from early 2009 although Linfox were prepared to continue to work with the Federal Government to sort out those issues. Currently, passenger volumes at Avalon are projected to reach 1.4 million for the year 2008. However, on 14 November 2008, Lindsay Fox announced that upgrading Avalon Airport to handle international flights would no longer be viable due to the government's resistance. Then on 10 March 2009, Linfox announced that Avalon would indeed handle international flights within two years and the Government would approve of a $50 million terminal by the end of 2009.
of Qantas, is the current user of Avalon Airport. Jetstar services Brisbane
and Sydney from Avalon. The airport has been chosen to operate these services due to relatively lower operating costs. A new and expanding low cost terminal
, consisting of check-in counters
and a departure lounge and baggage claim
was constructed to cater for Jetstar. Since that time, Avalon Airport has expanded its facilities.
Currently, the only other airline operating passenger services is Sharp Airlines, operating regional flights to Portland Airport
.
Avalon Airport hosts the Australian International Airshow, which is held every two years.
An upgrade to the current terminal is planned to handle AirAsia X
and future international passenger airline flights. This new facility will provide Avalon with customs, immigration, quarantine and retail facilities and will be approximately 8000 m² (9,567.9 sq yd) in size.
India's Kingfisher Airlines
has also expressed interest in flying from Avalon to Bangalore non stop utilising Airbus A330-200
or Airbus A340-500
aircraft. This speculation has been formulated around the opening of an international terminal at Avalon Airport.
On 17 November 2010 as part of the 2010 Victorian state election
campaign, Liberal National Coalition's
leader Ted Baillieu
committed to build a railway line to the airport if they form government. To be built as a branch from the Geelong line and with an estimated total cost of $250 million, his commitment was for $50 million to cover planning, land acquisition and preliminary works for the single track line. The additional $200 million will be split between the state government, the Commonwealth and from the airport. The airport management welcomed the announcement, which will also include an aviation fuel pipeline to the airport from the Shell Geelong refinery.
operated a base at Avalon with flights to Perth and Sydney. Since Tiger Airways' temporary operating suspension by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
, Tiger has not flown to Avalon and has announced the closure of its Avalon base.
Avalon, Victoria
Avalon is a locality situated north east of Geelong, Victoria. Its Local Government Area is the City of Greater Geelong and its Ward is Windermere...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, which is 15 km (9.3 mi) north-east of the city of Geelong and 50 km (31.1 mi) to the south-west of the state's capital
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....
city of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
The airport is designed to cater for jet aircraft
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
and comprises a single runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
. Avalon is used by Jetstar Airways
Jetstar Airways
Jetstar Airways is an Australian low-cost airline headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. It is a subsidiary of Qantas, created in response to the threat posed by low-cost airline Virgin Blue...
and Sharp Airlines
Sharp Airlines
Sharp Airlines is a regional airline headquartered in Hamilton, Victoria, Australia. Its main bases are Portland Airport, Adelaide Airport and Launceston Airport. The airline also provides charter operations to regional Victoria and South Australia...
for scheduled domestic passenger services and as a heavy maintenance facility by Jetstar's parent company, Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
. Tiger Airways began scheduled passenger services from Avalon in November 2010, however, these flights have now been suspended indefinitely. It is also the site of the biennial Australian International Airshow
Australian International Airshow
The Australian International Airshow, also called the Avalon Airshow, is a large air show held biennially at Avalon Airport, between Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria. It regularly features planes from the Royal Australian Air Force, United States Navy and the United States Air Force...
. Previously, air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
was only provided at Avalon on request, but on 16 May 2008 it was announced that regular air traffic control facilities would be provided.
Avalon Airport lies between the You Yangs
You Yangs
The You Yangs are a series of granite ridges that rise to 364m above the Werribee Plain approximately 55km south west of Melbourne and 22km north east of Geelong, in Victoria, Australia. The main ridge runs roughly N-S for about 9 km, with a lower extension running for about 15 km to the west...
, Corio Bay
Corio Bay
Corio Bay is one of numerous bays in the southwest corner of Australia's Port Phillip, and is the bay on which abuts the City of Geelong. The nearby suburb of Corio takes its name from Corio Bay.-Name:...
and Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water is a government owned statutory authority that controls much of the water system in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia including the reservoirs, and thesewerage and drainage system that services the city.- Overview :...
sewage treatment agistment
Agistment
Agistment originally referred specifically to the proceeds of pasturage in the king's forests. To agist is, in English law, to take cattle to graze, in exchange for payment.-Agistment:...
paddocks. The airport continues to fall under the jurisdiction of the Australian Department of Defence
Department of Defence (Australia)
The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...
.
The airport had 94,180 passengers for the month January 2011.
History
Government Aircraft Factories
Government Aircraft Factories was the name of an aircraft manufacturer owned by the Government of Australia based at Fishermans Bend, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria. It had its origins in the lead-up to World War II, during which it was known as the Department of Aircraft Production...
located at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne had used a runway beside their factory. However, newer jet aircraft required a longer runway length for safe operations, and the Fishermans Bend runway was being encroached upon by development. Land near Lara was purchased by the Commonwealth Government for a new facility. The site of the airport was originally part of the Avalon homestead and sheep station.
A 10000 ft (3,048 m) runway was built by Country Roads Board
Country Roads Board
The Country Roads Board was the government authority responsible for the construction and maintenance of main roads in the State of Victoria, Australia between 1913 and 1983. Its first chairman was William Calder who remained in charge until his death in 1928...
, with the first plane landing on 3 April 1953 - a four-engined Avro Lincoln
Avro Lincoln
The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
heavy bomber
Heavy bomber
A heavy bomber is a bomber aircraft of the largest size and load carrying capacity, and usually the longest range.In New START, the term "heavy bomber" is used for two types of bombers:*one with a range greater than 8,000 kilometers...
flown from Fishermans Bend. The Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
light bomber
Light bomber
A light bomber is a relatively small and fast class of military bomber aircraft which were primarily employed before the 1950s. Such aircraft would typically not carry more than one ton of ordnance....
was under construction at same time at the new airport. In 1959, Qantas established a training base at the site.
In 1985 the Government Aircraft Factories changed its name to Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA). Aircraft produced during this time included the CAC Sabre
CAC Sabre
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Allward, Maurice. F-86 Sabre. London: Ian Allen, 1978. ISBN 0-71100-860-4.* Curtis, Duncan. North American F-86 Sabre. Ramsbury, UK: Crowood, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-358-9....
jet fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
, GAF Jindivik
GAF Jindivik
The GAF Jindivik is a target drone produced by the Australian Government Aircraft Factory . The name is from an Aboriginal Australian word meaning the hunted one. Two manned prototypes, were built as GAF Pikas as a proof of concept to test the aerodynamics, engine and radio control systems,...
remotely piloted aircraft
Target drone
A target drone is an unmanned, remote controlled aerial vehicle, usually used in the training of anti-aircraft crews.In their simplest form, target drones often resemble radio controlled model aircraft...
, and Nomad
GAF Nomad
The GAF Nomad is a twin-engine turboprop, high-winged, "short take off and landing" aircraft . It was designed and built by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermens Bend, Melbourne. Major users of the design have included the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, the...
civil aircraft. Under the ASTA banner, engines for the Dassault Mirage III
Dassault Mirage III
The Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed by Dassault Aviation during the late 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. It was a successful fighter aircraft, being sold to many air forces around the world and remaining in production for over a decade...
jet fighters
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
were produced, as well as assembly of the F/A-18 multirole combat aircraft
Multirole combat aircraft
A multirole combat aircraft is an aircraft designed to act in at least two different roles in combat. The primary role is usually a fighter—hence, it is as often called a multirole fighter—while the secondary role is usually air-to-surface attack. More roles are added, such as air reconnaissance,...
for the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF).
In October 1988, the ASTA Aircraft Services division took the first Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
to Avalon for servicing and maintenance
Aircraft maintenance
Aircraft maintenance is the overhaul, repair, inspection or modification of an aircraft or aircraft component.Maintenance includes the installation or removal of a component from an aircraft or aircraft subassembly, but does not include:...
. By December 1993, fifty 747 aircraft had been through the Avalon facility, and 820 people were employed at the site. October 1995 saw a Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
Lockheed L-1011 flown to Avalon for scrapping by ASTA Aircraft Services, in what was a one off event.
Training of pilots from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways
, also known as or ANA, is one of the largest airlines in Japan. It is headquartered at the Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 35 international routes and employed over 14,000 employees as of May 2009...
commenced at Avalon on 8 September 1993.
On 27 June 1995 Aerospace Technologies of Australia was privatised
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
by the Commonwealth Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
, selling the aircraft divisions to Rockwell Australia Limited
Boeing Australia
Boeing Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, or simply Boeing Australia, is Boeing's largest footprint outside the United States. Established in 2002, the company oversees its seven wholly owned subsidiaries, consolidating and co-ordinating Boeing’s businesses and operations in Australia.Boeing has played an...
, and the airport operations to Avalon Airport Geelong Pty Ltd. The ASTA airliner overhauling facility was closed in 1997.
The first scheduled passenger flights out of Avalon were operated by Hazelton Airlines
Hazelton Airlines
Hazelton Air Services Pty Limited, trading as Hazelton Airlines, was an Australian regional airline which operated until 2001. It was established as an independent airline but by the end of its existence had become a subsidiary of Ansett Australia....
, who commenced flights between Avalon Airport and Sydney
Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport may refer to:* Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, in Sydney, Australia* Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, in Nova Scotia, Canada...
in February 1995. 36-seat Saab 340
Saab 340
The Saab 340 is a discontinued Swedish two-engine turboprop aircraft designed and initially produced by a partnership between Saab and Fairchild Aircraft in a 65:35 ratio...
aircraft were used for the service. The service was discontinued after a short time due to a lack of patronage.
In 1997 the Australian government decided Avalon was no longer needed and it was leased to Linfox
Linfox
Linfox is a logistics and supply chain company established in Australia by Lindsay Fox in 1956. The company started with one truck operated by Fox. With the acquisition of Armaguard from Mayne Logistics in 2003 and FCL in 2006, it is now the largest privately owned supply chain solutions company in...
, a company owned by Lindsay Fox
Lindsay Fox
Lindsay Edward Fox AC is an Australian businessman. As of 2009, he was the 10th richest person in Australia, with a net worth of around 1.5 billion . He is best known as the founder and chairman of his family-owned trucking and logistics company, Linfox.- Early life :Lindsay Fox was brought up in...
.
Avalon Airport welcomed Jetstar in 2004 and Tiger Airways in 2010 to operate into and out of the facility. However, Tiger Airways flights have now been suspended indefinitely.
Avalon Airport was one of three sites considered for the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets
Melbourne Markets
The Melbourne Markets relates to the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market operated by the Melbourne Market Authority.The Melbourne Markets complex contains the:* Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market* National Flower Centre* Nursery Market...
which are being moved from West Melbourne
West Melbourne, Victoria
West Melbourne is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km north-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
to allow development of the Port of Melbourne
Port of Melbourne
The Port of Melbourne is Australia's busiest port for containerised and general cargo. It is located in Melbourne, Victoria and covers an area at the mouth of the Yarra River, downstream of Bolte Bridge, which is at the head of Port Phillip, as well as several piers on the bay itself...
. A site in Epping
Epping, Victoria
Epping is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 22 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whittlesea...
was ultimately chosen as the preferred site.
Malaysian long haul budget airline AirAsia X
AirAsia X
AirAsia X is a long-haul, budget airline based in Malaysia. The airline is operated by AirAsia X Sdn. Bhd. . It commenced operations on 2 November 2007. Its first service flew from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, to Gold Coast Airport in Australia...
has been awarded rights to operate to Avalon Airport from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport , or KLIA serves the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and is one of Southeast Asia's largest airports. It is also Malaysia's main international airport. It is situated in the Sepang district, in the south of the state of Selangor, about from Kuala Lumpur...
. Avalon was considered the preferred option, however the need to construct customs facilities ruled it out for the first destination in Australia.
In a bid to attract potential airlines, airport owner Lindsay Fox embarked on an overseas tour in 2007. Airlines from India, Macau and Australia's Jetstar have been named as possible users. In June 2008, the initial proposal for the international terminal was rejected by the Federal Government for a number of unspecified reasons. This setback will mean Avalon cannot meet AirAsia's timetable of flying into Avalon from early 2009 although Linfox were prepared to continue to work with the Federal Government to sort out those issues. Currently, passenger volumes at Avalon are projected to reach 1.4 million for the year 2008. However, on 14 November 2008, Lindsay Fox announced that upgrading Avalon Airport to handle international flights would no longer be viable due to the government's resistance. Then on 10 March 2009, Linfox announced that Avalon would indeed handle international flights within two years and the Government would approve of a $50 million terminal by the end of 2009.
Scheduled passenger flights
Jetstar Airways, a low-cost subsidiaryLow-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
of Qantas, is the current user of Avalon Airport. Jetstar services Brisbane
Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area...
and Sydney from Avalon. The airport has been chosen to operate these services due to relatively lower operating costs. A new and expanding low cost terminal
Airport terminal
An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
, consisting of check-in counters
Airport check-in
Airport check-in uses service counters found at commercial airports handling commercial air travel. The check-in is normally handled by an airline itself or a handling agent working on behalf of an airline...
and a departure lounge and baggage claim
Baggage claim
In airport terminals, a baggage claim area is an area where arriving passengers claim checked-in baggage after disembarking from an airline flight. The alternative term baggage reclaim is used to mean the same thing at many airports outside the USA In airport terminals, a baggage claim area is an...
was constructed to cater for Jetstar. Since that time, Avalon Airport has expanded its facilities.
Currently, the only other airline operating passenger services is Sharp Airlines, operating regional flights to Portland Airport
Portland Airport (Australia)
Portland Airport is located at Portland, Victoria, Australia, 365 km southwest of Melbourne along the Princes Highway. The airport is home to the Portland Aero Club and the Sharp Airlines maintenance base....
.
Qantas maintenance facility
Avalon is the site of one of Qantas' heavy maintenance and engineering facilities. The facility opened in the late 1990s, and currently employs 1000 people.Other uses
Future
Linfox hopes Avalon will capture 10% of the Melbourne domestic passenger market by 2010, increasing to 20% by 2017. This represents up to 3.4 million passengers each year in the next decade. Further expansion plans involve international passenger and freight flights to the Asia-Pacific rim and Europe.An upgrade to the current terminal is planned to handle AirAsia X
AirAsia X
AirAsia X is a long-haul, budget airline based in Malaysia. The airline is operated by AirAsia X Sdn. Bhd. . It commenced operations on 2 November 2007. Its first service flew from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, to Gold Coast Airport in Australia...
and future international passenger airline flights. This new facility will provide Avalon with customs, immigration, quarantine and retail facilities and will be approximately 8000 m² (9,567.9 sq yd) in size.
India's Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines is an airline group based in India. Its head office is Kingfisher House in Vile Parle , Mumbai. Kingfisher Airlines, through its parent company United Breweries Group, has a 50% stake in low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red....
has also expressed interest in flying from Avalon to Bangalore non stop utilising Airbus A330-200
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
or Airbus A340-500
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
aircraft. This speculation has been formulated around the opening of an international terminal at Avalon Airport.
On 17 November 2010 as part of the 2010 Victorian state election
Victorian state election, 2010
The 2010 Victorian state election was held on 27 November. The incumbent centre-left Australian Labor Party government, led by John Brumby, was defeated by the centre-right Liberal/National Coalition opposition, led by Ted Baillieu....
campaign, Liberal National Coalition's
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
leader Ted Baillieu
Ted Baillieu
Edward Norman "Ted" Baillieu MLA is an Australian politician. He is currently the Premier of Victoria and the member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Hawthorn...
committed to build a railway line to the airport if they form government. To be built as a branch from the Geelong line and with an estimated total cost of $250 million, his commitment was for $50 million to cover planning, land acquisition and preliminary works for the single track line. The additional $200 million will be split between the state government, the Commonwealth and from the airport. The airport management welcomed the announcement, which will also include an aviation fuel pipeline to the airport from the Shell Geelong refinery.
Airlines and destinations
Formerly Tiger AirwaysTiger Airways Australia
Tiger Airways Australia Pty Ltd, operating as Tiger Airways Australia, is a low cost airline which commenced services in the Australian domestic airline market on 23 November 2007. It is a subsidiary of Tiger Airways Holdings, a Singapore-based company, which is owned partially by Singapore Airlines...
operated a base at Avalon with flights to Perth and Sydney. Since Tiger Airways' temporary operating suspension by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is the Australian national aviation authority , the government statutory authority responsible for the regulation of civil aviation.-History:...
, Tiger has not flown to Avalon and has announced the closure of its Avalon base.
See also
- Commonwealth Aircraft CorporationCommonwealth Aircraft CorporationThe Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was an Australian aircraft manufacturer. The CAC was established in 1936, to provide Australia with the capability to produce military aircraft and engines.-History:...
- List of airports in Australia
- Transport in AustraliaTransport in Australia-Roads:Australia has the second highest level of car ownership in the world. It has three to four times more road per capita than Europe and seven to nine times more than Asia. Australia also has the third highest per capita rate of fuel consumption in the world. Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane are...