Avalon Airport needs shot in the arm so world realises potential

Population masses surround it, it’s runway is fit for the world’s largest planes and passenger travel is seamless, so why is Avalon Airport struggling? ANALYSIS

Located between two of the country’s fastest growing population corridors, Avalon Airport’s latest low point in aviation is a curious case of not realising its potential.

The airport’s aviation business hit a low point in 2015 when Jetstar threatened to pull out.

Fast forward seven years, and a global pandemic, it feels we’re at a similar point.

Not because Jetstar want out but because Avalon has lost flights to Malaysia, and is operating at less than 10 per cent of its five million passengers a year capacity.

Avalon and the state government are aggressively pitching for international carriers but deals haven’t eventuated.

For Avalon it seems gun-shy airlines ravaged by Covid are reluctant to take risks.

But it’s been proved with government-backed incentives, dormant airlines can be jolted into the sky.

Since the re-opening of international borders in December, airlines including Qatar, Singapore, United, Qantas, Emirates and Etihad have expanded direct services to Melbourne with state government support.

But none, yet, want to utilise advantages at Avalon.

Council areas on either side of Avalon have a combined population of about 600,000 people that is rapidly growing, and forecast to hit more than 900,000 by 2041.

The size of Avalon’s runway means wide-body aircraft including super-sized A380s can land.

Passengers at Avalon are pitched a seamless transition from plane to other transport.

In years leading up to the pandemic Avalon experienced a renaissance and it seemed the world was starting to realise the airport’s advantages.

The state government had convinced Jetstar to stay.

By the end of 2018, the $48m international terminal had opened and AirAsia was flying twice daily to Malaysia.

Avalon Airport had secured AirAsia as a carrier in 2018, but was dealt a blow this week from the airline. Picture: Alan Barber

A year later budget Vietnamese carrier Vietjet showed interest in flying between Avalon and Ho Chi Minh City.

In January 2020 the first flight from Bali to Avalon had touched down.

Now management say Avalon Airport it’s in good shape due to revenue generated from commercial tenancies.

Petstock will soon open a 30,000sqm warehouse at the airport precinct, another commercial tenant is setting up a 20,000sq m depot and Cotton On is expanding its already massive warehouse.

But ultimately the airport’s aviation arm needs attention.

Warning signs are showing. Jetstar has scaled back its domestic schedule. This week AirAsia said it wouldn’t restart flights between Avalon and Malaysia when other international routes get going in November.

It seems budget Vietjet will require convincing to follow through on its intention.

There’s no sign Citilink will resume Bali flights to Avalon that started in 2020, and which at the time seemed like a rushed piece of commercial unity.

Six months on from the re-opening of international borders the peaks and troughs of aviation have been laid bare.

It’s up to governments and airport leaders of ensure that Avalon’s aviation low point doesn’t last too long.

Originally published as Avalon Airport needs shot in the arm so world realises potential