Domestic flights to resume from Avalon Airport as additional new routes flagged

Avalon Airport is ramping back up with flights to Sydney resuming on Friday and international flights on the cards next month. New domestic routes may also be just around the corner.

International flights could return to Avalon next month as the airport prepares for take-off on domestic routes this Friday.

It will mark the first time domestic commercial flights have flown from Avalon Airport in 108 days, with international flights grounded since March 22 last year.

But, Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings is confident the airport’s flight schedule will be at 75 per cent by the end of the year, as holiday-starved Victorians look to travel interstate and overseas.

Two return flights to Sydney will operate from Avalon each day from Friday, with flights expected to increase to 75 weekly return flights by the end of November.

Before the pandemic Jetstar operated 100 weekly return flights from Avalon Airport, carrying thousands of customers every day.

Jetstar crew Alessia Roso and Katherine Grigg prepare for flights returning to Avalon Airport on Friday. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Giddings said flights to and from the Gold Coast will commence on December 17, when the state opens its borders, with other destinations likely to be added early next year.

Flights to Adelaide are also expected to recommence soon.

“It’s a great thing – I’m keen to see people to be able to fly again,” Mr Giddings said.

“I certainly will be flying (to Sydney) pretty soon and there are a lot of people who will want to too.”

With international travel resuming in Victoria this week, Mr Giddings said travellers could expect to see Kuala Lumpur-bound flights operating from the airport as early as next month.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, AirAsia operated flights between Avalon and Malaysia, while a route to Vietnam was expected to start in early 2020.

“Given there are no quarantine requirements, there is a good chance that we could get flights back to KL, and also Bali, this year,” Mr Giddings said.

“KL is the most likely because it’s an existing route and it’s just a matter of rescheduling it.”

Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings says travellers can expect to see Kuala Lumpur-bound flights operating from the airport as early as next month. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Mr Giddings said while there will not initially be the same number of flights available as there were pre-pandemic, he still expected air travel to be affordable.

“I really do think that the aviation environment is going to be driven by low-cost carriers,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity.”

It is also hoped new domestic flights could be added next year – with routes to Cairns, Perth, Brisbane and Perth all being considered.

A Jetstar spokesman said the airline was excited to relaunch flights between Sydney and Avalon for the first time in four months.

“This is great news for our customers and also for tourism operators along the Great Ocean Road, with Sydneysiders now able to fly directly into Avalon Airport – the gateway to the Surf Coast and Bellarine region,” he said.

“Our recent sales on Avalon fares have been very popular, which shows there is strong pent-up travel demand for travel both to and from Avalon Airport.”

Flights are expected to increase to 75 weekly return flights by the end of November.

Originally published as Domestic flights to resume from Avalon Airport as additional new routes flagged