Avalon Airport and Jetstar reach 1 million passengers

Avalon Airport and Jetstar has celebrated the 1 millionth passenger milestone at the fast-growing domestic airport, achieved in under two years of low fare services.

Jetstar on 8th May carried its 1 millionth passenger on its Melbourne Avalon services.

Outstripping all initial forecasts, Avalon Airport, 55 kilometres west of Melbourne, is rapidly becoming a top 10 airport in Australia in terms of annual passenger traffic Jetstar commenced services from Avalon Airport on 1 June 2004 and now operates134 weekly flights totalling over 23,700 seats to four major destinations – Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

“From day one until now there has been an effective doubling of flights by Jetstar at Avalon, whilst overall seat capacity has almost trebled,’’ said Linfox Airports General Manager Tim Anderson.

“It really has been an amazing success story to this time and both Jetstar and Linfox Airports are very proud at what we have been able to collectively achieve.

“Importantly, Linfox Airports has developed and enhanced both terminal and associated infrastructure at Avalon Airport in line with Jetstar’s approach to sustainably growing services in line with market demand.”

Mr Anderson said Avalon had 450,000 passengers in the first full operational year and he anticipated that close to 700,000 passengers would use the airport between June 2005 and the Airport’s second operational anniversary on 1 June.

To celebrate the milestone, Jetstar offered the 1 millionth passenger two flights to all four Avalon destinations – representing a total of 8 return airfares across Jetstar’s flight network at Melbourne Avalon Airport.

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the use of Melbourne Avalon Airport had exceeded the carrier’s expectations.

“Jetstar’s operations from Avalon Airport has been one of our airline’s major success stories and passing through the 1 million passenger mark at this new domestic airport in such a quick timeframe reinforces that point,” Mr Joyce said.

“Jetstar is the only airline in Australia to have successfully and efficiently operated air services from two airports in the one capital city market.

“Our value-for-money flights at Avalon Airport have stimulated greater air access for interstate travellers into Victoria.

‘‘The facility has also been successfully marketed as an attractive air gateway for fly/drive tourism to Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula region and onto the Great Ocean Road. In addition it has become a fast growing alternative air gateway for Melbourne.

“After nearly two years of sustained and progressive growth of both flights and additional seat capacity, a high level of year round patronage on existing services is now what Jetstar is striving for over the medium term.’’

Jetstar now positions an overnighting Airbus A320 aircraft at Avalon Airport as part of its latest flight schedule.

Mr Anderson said there had been many highlights in reaching the 1 millionth passenger milestone at Avalon Airport. These include:

• Being named the 2004 Regional Airport of the Year by the Australian Airports Association for aviation excellence;

• The addition of around 70 new jobs at the Avalon Airport precinct;

• Development of Jetstar’s flight schedule to include direct Adelaide and Perth services on top launch flying direct from Avalon to Sydney and Brisbane.

• Expansion of airside apron / aircraft parking area to accommodate up to 3 jet aircraft at one time;

• An influx of interstate visitors taking advantage of direct access to the Geelong-Surf Coast region;

• Fast tracked conversion of all Avalon services from smaller Boeing 717 (125 seat) to Airbus A320 (177 seat aircraft)