Avalon Airport to celebrate 4 millionth passenger

19/06/2009

For immediate release On Friday June 26 Avalon Airport will celebrate its 4 millionth Jetstar passenger. In just over five years the airport has gone from zero passengers to nearly 1 million annually and is now the 11th largest airport in the country.

Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings said the 4 millionth passenger would be on one of the nine flights to depart the airport to Sydney and Brisbane on Friday.

“Whether it is the 9.05 to Brisbane, or the 2.35 to Sydney we really won’t know until early next week when we get updated figures on the number of passengers travelling,’’ he said.

To help celebrate, passengers on the lucky flight will go into the draw to win:

• Two nights accommodation and breakfast for people at the new Hilton Melbourne South Wharf valued at nearly $700
• Two Jetstar travel vouchers valued at $100
• Gold Class tickets from Village Cinemas
• A three-month VIP movie pass from Village Cinemas
• Avalon Airport car park passes

Mr Giddings said the success of the airport had been due to the continued patronage of Victorians, particularly those around the Geelong area and a great relationship with Jetstar.

“Many did not expect us to last too long – and perhaps not grow as much as we have, but it is something the Fox family and all employees at Avalon are proud of.’’

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said the low cost airline’s operations from Avalon Airport has been one of our airline’s major success stories.

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

“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.

“We look forward to a great future between Jetstar and Avalon Airport.’’

The Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles, said: “I congratulate Avalon Airport and Jetstar on such a great milestone. We are extremely fortunate in Geelong to have Avalon Airport on our doorstep. It has provided many jobs in the five years Jetstar has operated from there and it is one of this region's best opportunities for jobs growth.’’

Ends

Media enquiries:

Justin Giddings
Linfox Airports
M: 0402 043 471

Grant Titmus
Red Agency
M: 0419 388 161

Simon Westaway
Jetstar
M: 0401 994 627