AIRPORT INVESTORS Fox had grand plans about turning Avalon into a major aviation hub


and making it into Melbourne’s second international airport. Plus, the Australian International Airshow would be held there. At one stage, Fox even voiced plans to bring Disneyland to Avalon. And why not an international motor racing circuit, too? His timing was impeccable. With the low-cost carrier concept just


taking off, Fox succeeded in attracting Jetstar, Qantas’ budget arm, to establish Avalon as its Melbourne hub. He then talked about creating an intermodal transport ‘freight city’. “I’m talking about a gateway to Asia, especially for Australian


produce,” Fox told The Age newspaper in 2004. He spoke of “jumbos leaving Australia, full of market produce”. And enthused: “We can make this dream of being the food basket for Asia a reality.” Not every part of the plan has so far come to fruition. Most notably,


his idea to build an international terminal – with Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia X waiting in the wings to sign up - was grounded in 2008 by a federal government refusal. But Fox has no shortage of true believers – Avalon Airport’s CEO Giddings being among them.


To meet its growth needs, Avalon Airport is currently undergoing an


A$10 million expansion. This includes increasing the capacity of onsite fuel storage, more car parking, reconfiguring the check-in system, enlarging the arrivals and departure areas. And it’s on track to becoming an aviation hub, Giddings says. “Apart from the passenger flights, the airport has dozens of aviation-


related companies on site. This includes around 1,000 Qantas maintenance workers. We are also home to the International Air Show every two years – a show that is now one of the largest in the world. Furthermore we have just signed an agreement that secures the air show at the airport until 2025. “We are the largest employer along the Melbourne–Geelong corridor, and


as recently announced, will host the Australian International Airshow until at least 2025. I think taking all those points into account we can safely say we have achieved our goal as a major aviation hub. And that will only grow.” He feels these developments vindicate Fox’s vision. “There are always challenges in the airline industry. The knock back on


our initial proposal to the Federal Government [for an international terminal] was very disappointing but we have gone back to the drawing


I think taking all those points into account we can safely say we have achieved our goal as a major aviation hub


“I think you will always have people who doubt what you


are trying to achieve, and being less than supportive,” Giddings says. “However, on the whole most people are very positive about the benefits Avalon can bring to Victoria and the general public more broadly. “We have had great support from the Victorian government, from


the City of Greater Geelong and surrounding shires, local politicians and businesses keen to see opportunities open up as the airport expands. “It is also great for tourism operators throughout Victoria, but


particularly for those in the Greater Geelong area, along the Great Ocean Road and for attractions such as the 12 Apostles.” Giddings also points to those parts of the plan that are very


much on track. “The best vindication is the arrival of Tiger. Jetstar gave the airport


the opportunity to begin a passenger service, and it has been a great partnership since 2004 – and will no doubt continue for many years. “The arrival of Tiger Airways in 2010 shows that airlines are keen to use an airport that has a similar philosophy in offering a great service at a competitive price.” Early last year, Singapore LCC, Tiger Airways, announced Avalon


Airport as its third Australian base, with flights commencing from November 10. At the same time, the airport’s management announced a multi-million-dollar expansion of its facilities to cater for the extra flights, and to enable Tiger to grow its fleet. The two new A320 aircraft to be based at Avalon Airport will increase


the number of Tiger Airways aircraft in Australia to 11. Linfox Airports executive chairman, David Fox, called Tiger’s arrival


“the most significant announcement for Avalon Airport since passenger services began at the airport in June 2004”.


board and eventually plan to have international flights from Avalon at some stage in the future. “The economic downturn over the past 18 months has affected the airline industry as much as any sector around the globe. There have been some fluctuations in the number of flights to and from Avalon by Jetstar. At one stage we were up to 14 flights a day and then down to six. We are now back into double figures again with the addition of Tiger Airways flights. “When Jetstar first began flying here in June 2004 we would have


been extremely pleased if someone had said that within five years we will have flown four million passengers. However, we are proud to say that we achieved the milestone of handling our four millionth passenger nearly two years ago.” More importantly, Avalon Airport meets a need, Giddings says. “We are


popular with both business travellers and families going on holidays. Jetstar was able to grow the number of passengers, not cannibalise those flying on Qantas or from Virgin. Obviously, for the 1.5 million people living in western Melbourne we are very attractive – the same goes for the people in and around the Greater Geelong region. “Furthermore, for extra 10–15 minutes drive from Melbourne’s eastern


suburbs, people can save heaps in parking and airline tickets charges. That 10–15 minutes is easily made up by parking out the front of the terminal and not having to catch a bus.” It might have been an ambitious vision, but Giddings points out that Fox


is a man who grew his transport, aviation and property businesses by being focused, driven and ambitious. His three sons – Peter, Andrew and David – share that vision and are at the coalface of all negotiations. “In the future, we will have international flights with significantly lower


charges than other airports; as well as hotels, a rail link and additional retailers. We see great potential in Avalon Airport – and what it can do in servicing consumers and the airline industry,” remarks Giddings.


AIRPORT WORLD/FEBRUARY-MARCH 2011 AW 69


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