Avalon Airshow organisers exploring refunds after traffic chaos, tight lipped on numbers

Airshow organisers will work with Ticketmaster to refund patrons unable to access the sold-out event, but they’ve remained tight lipped on how many people were unable to access the event.

Traffic banked up outside the Avalon International Airshow.

Airshow organisers will work with Ticketmaster on possible refunds to patrons unable to access the sold-out event.

Close 200,000 aviation enthusiasts descended on Avalon over the weekend for the first Australian International Airshow in four years.

But the popular event was plagued by complaints of repeated traffic congestion that saw wait-times of up to four hours.

An airshow spokesman said the subject of transport would form part of the event’s post-show debrief, but wouldn’t be drawn on how many refunds would need to be issued.

“We are working with Ticketmaster on the subject of refunds,” he said.

Elizabeth, who asked to remain anonymous, and her husband waited three hours in line to access the show.

The couple, who travelled from Melbourne’s inner east, were only able to be at the event for an hour before making the trip home.

“It really doesn’t need to be this way,” she said.

“Communication is key. If people know where to go, or which routes not to take they can make an educated and informed decision about attending.”

Airshow fans offered advice to avoid freeway traffic

More than 80,000 fans streamed through the gates at the Avalon International Airshow on Saturday, with organisers urging crowds to arrive early today.

On Sunday organisers advised ticketholders to arrive before the first flying display or to use public transport in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the traffic congestion.

Drivers faced long delays to get into the Avalon International Airshow.

Airshow chief executive officer, Justin Giddings, apologised to punters caught in the traffic chaos, with some unable to enter the site.

Organisers would work with Ticketmaster, VicRoads and Victoria Police “for solutions and ticket refunds.”

Mr Gidding encouraged people “especially from Geelong” to arrive by train to Lara on Sunday and catch the bus across to the airfield.

“We really encourage people from Geelong to catch the train to Lara, that is really the best way to do it and has worked really well,” he said.

“We had some trouble getting some people out of the Geelong exit of the car park last night causing significant delays from leaving the site.

“When you have 30,000 cars on site you are going to have congestion.”

Mr Giddings said the “sheer weight of numbers of people coming all at the same time” caused the massive delays.

There have been record crowds at the Avalon International Airshow.

“It just meant that the freeways were not able to cope, cars were flowing in,” he said.

“It’s a major event, you have 80,000 people at an event at an airport which has got two main entrances.

“We just ask people to be patient and be prepared. Leave some food and drink in the car.”

Members of the public who do not hold a valid Airshow ticket are being asked to avoid using the carparking for plane-spotting.

EARLIER: Massive airshow delays

Aviation fans are experiencing massive delays on the Princes Freeway with huge crowds rushing to the Avalon International Airshow.

Traffic can be seen banked up from the Rennie St entrance south of Lara all the way to the Avalon Airport, with close to 200,000 punters expected to attend the event over the weekend.

Motorists travelling from the Geelong CBD to the airshow can expect the journey to take up to an hour, with heavy congestion reported.

One person heading to the event said on social media it took them three hours to travel for Lara to the airport’s carpark.

A massive crowd of 80,000 attended on Saturday.

Another said commuters were facing traffic jams of up to four hours.

Victoria Police urged motorists to plan ahead and be mindful of the traffic congestion on the Princes Highway, both Geelong and Melbourne bound.

Chief executive officer of the AMDA Foundation, the organiser of the event, Justin Giddings, said the airshow has sold out for the first time in its history, consequently leading to major traffic congestion.

“The airshow car parks do have the capacity to accommodate the vehicles, however the sheer volume of traffic has caused significant delays along the Princes Freeway,” he said.

“We highly recommend catching public transport from the Lara train station.

“The flying display on Saturday has been extended.”

Originally published as Avalon Airshow organisers exploring refunds after traffic chaos, tight lipped on numbers