Avalon Airport chief executive’s push to fly regional Victorians up to the NT from Geelong
A VICTORIAN airport is pushing for direct flights to resume between the NT and Greater Geelong for the first time in years
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A VICTORIAN airport is pushing for direct flights to resume between the NT and Greater Geelong for the first time in years, ahead of travel restrictions lifting next week.
Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said he had been in talks with airlines to open up flights between the NT and their regional airport, located 15km northeast of Geelong.
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The NT’s border opens to all of regional Victoria, except for Mitchell Shire, next Monday however restrictions currently prevent regional residents from travelling to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport without a special exemption.
It comes as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday said that travel restrictions in the state would most likely ease on November 8.
However, Mr Giddings believes there is still definitely enough demand to offer flights between Avalon and the NT in the short term.
I’m pushing very strongly for it because I think the flights would be extremely popular, people here are just itching to get out there and travel,” he said. “It’s also another way of getting to other parts of Australia if people stay in the NT for a couple of weeks. It would be a real boon for the NT economy. Ultimately, the regulations are on our side; it’s just a matter for the airlines to want to do that.”
The NT News understands Jetstar has no plans to add flights between Avalon and the Territory at this stage but it will continue to review its network based on changes to border restrictions and demand.
Tourism Minister Natasha Fyles said she would welcome any commercial decision from airports and airlines that would bring more people to the NT from non-hot spot areas.
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Tourism Greater Geelong and Bellarine executive director Brett Ince said flights between Avalon and the Territory would provide a much-needed boost to the tourism industry, with significant opportunities in the visiting friends and relatives market.
“Reconnection with loved ones will be a key reason for travel in this next period, and the sooner we can facilitate it, the sooner the sector will start to rebuild,” he said.
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