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Jetstar has launched the first of two new routes from Melbourne’s Avalon Airport as part of its recently signed contract with the Victorian government and airport owner Linfox, with flights to the Gold Coast due to start in October.
The Qantas-owned low-cost carrier says it will offer a daily service between Avalon and the Gold Coast from October 26.
Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive David Hall says the new flights to the South-East Queensland tourist destination was in response to community demand and represented about 65,000 extra seats a year at Avalon.
“The Gold Coast Airport serves a population of more than 500,000 people and we’ll work closely with local and state tourism bodies to promote the greater Geelong region in the South East Queensland market,” Hall said in a statement on Thursday.
“We have a huge opportunity to grow local tourism with this 10-year partnership and it’s important we showcase Avalon as the gateway to amazing attractions along the western coast of Victoria.
“The Gold Coast is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Australia and we expect these direct flights will appeal to Western Victorian travellers looking for a relaxing getaway.”
In April, Jetstar signed a new 10-year deal – with the state government committing $12 million and Linfox a further $14 million over the next decade – to maintain its regular public transport (RPT) service at Melbourne’s second airport.
As part of the contact, Jetstar committed to increasing its current five daily Avalon-Sydney services to seven flights a day, as well as add two new destinations over the next 18 months.
At the time, Hall said Jetstar’s services out of Avalon were loss-making.
“Although our Avalon services have been unprofitable, we know there is strong commercial potential in the medium to long-term, as population growth gathers pace along the Western corridor and across broader Geelong,” Hall said on April 27.
“This partnership with the Victorian Government and Avalon Airport helps us bridge the gap until these services are commercially viable in their own right.”
Meanwhile, the news wasn’t all good for Gold Coast Airport on Thursday, with Jetstar announcing it was suspending its four times a week service between the Gold Coast and Mackay.
adammudhen
says:I know I’m not the first to say it and I’m sure I won’t be the last, but Avalon needs a rail link. Perhaps funded by State funding, Linfox and Geelong council? It would however be a sad day if Avalon were to get a rail link before Tullamarine.
Lyn Bourke
says:This news is fantastic! We have most of our family living in Geelong so we will be able to visit much more frequently. Thank You thank you jetstar & everone else involved in this decision. 🙂
Chris
says:When will people get over the “fear” of Avalon airport. It’s a great place to fly from – there are no delays as there is virtually no plane traffic! From the western side of Melbourne it really takes no longer than getting to Tulla (especially if you don’t use CityLink) and you really get that small airport feel that is unusual nowdays…
Marc
says:Pretty good Gold Coast-Bells Beach connection there.
Marc
says:Makes a good Gold Coast-Bells Beach connection.
Taurean Lea
says:Congratulations Jetstar on lanching Gold Coast to Avalon services. I know a lot of Queensland based planespotters would love to travel to the Australian International Airshow every odd year and guess what, when the airshow is on, Gold Coast plane lovers get to fly direct from OOL to the airshow super fast!!
Tracey Gow
says:This is great news.We love flying from Avalon as it is closer to where we live and hassle free.Hopefully in the future there will be more flights to more destinations.