Cut-priced airline Tiger cleared for landing at Avalon

[Mal]

Cut-priced airline Tiger cleared for landing at Avalon - Local News - Geelong, VIC, Australia

Singapore Airlines-backed Tiger is expected to move some of its domestic flights from Melbourne's Tullamarine to Lindsay Fox's Avalon Airport.

Sources yesterday told the Geelong Advertiser the news would officially be made within the next two weeks and as early as this week.

Another interesting tidbit from the article:

Avalon Airport has also been in discussions with Virgin Blue but talks stalled pending an outcome on Tiger's decision.

 

[straitman]

IMHO, this will make Tiger even less attractive for the majority of people unless they are in the western suburbs of Melbourne or Geelong.

For anyone else it is such a pain to get to.

 

[MelUser]

I have had friends and relatives travel (of their own free will) on Tiger and the stories are not pleasant.

Perhaps the cheaper landing and terminal costs means that they can invest more money in making airline staff more pleasant.

I have flown Southwest airlines in USA a few times now and in my view that is a pleasant low cost carrier to fly with.

 

[drewbles]

IMHO, this will make Tiger even less attractive for the majority of people unless they are in the western suburbs of Melbourne or Geelong.

For anyone else it is such a pain to get to.

Having used AVV once, I found it no problems. Distance, sure it's further from the CBD than MEL, but time-wise, it's not significant.

The freeway out there is great and it's not tolled (take the non-toll roads to MEL and you'll take a lot longer than to AVV).

I dislike flying from AVV due to lack of QP and other facilities (it's a tin shed). Driving though, i'd prefer AVV to MEL any day.

And also, imagine how good Airways will get when they move to AVV from MEL

 

[dajop]

IMHO, this will make Tiger even less attractive for the majority of people unless they are in the western suburbs of Melbourne or Geelong.

For anyone else it is such a pain to get to.

Once again lets all start AVV bashing. It's really only 15-20mins further (outside of peak hour) from the BOlte Bridge turn off than MEL, and parking is a whole heap cheaper (important if you'r only paying $30 for the airfare).

But anyway, it really does depend if they are going to replace MEL services - and looks like they may replace the weaker ones but certainly not all - or actually more focussed on new routes to generate better traffic to/from Geelong & the Ocean Road. If they can operate services like MEL-ROK, I am sure if you take away 90% of Melbourne's population base, there would be still enough attractions closer to AVV than MEL and enough population in Geelong and outer west (probably a catchment of 3 to 400,000) to sustain services from SYD in its own right.

 

[straitman]

Once again lets all start AVV bashing. It's really only 15-20mins further (outside of peak hour) from the BOlte Bridge turn off than MEL, and parking is a whole heap cheaper (important if you'r only paying $30 for the airfare).

dajop,

No AVV bashing here simply stating facts. In fact I'm quite offended by the implication that it is anything else :!: :evil: :evil: If anything it is a TT bash and I make no apologies for that. Good on them for trying though.

Are we not entitled to express our opinions around here any more :?:

I have flown into and out of AVV (front and back seats) probably more times than you have flown so I have been there many, many times and am talking from experience. AVV is a pain to get to/from.

By Google maps AVV is 56.7 km and 47 min from the Melbourne CBD and Tullamarine is 23.7 km and 27 min so an extra 33 km and 20 min. From where I live I often travel to the city by train and then to Tull by Skybus. There is no equivilant option for AVV.

But anyway, it really does depend if they are going to replace MEL services - and looks like they may replace the weaker ones but certainly not all - or actually more focussed on new routes to generate better traffic to/from Geelong & the Ocean Road. If they can operate services like MEL-ROK, I am sure if you take away 90% of Melbourne's population base, there would be still enough attractions closer to AVV than MEL and enough population in Geelong and outer west (probably a catchment of 3 to 400,000) to sustain services from SYD in its own right.

Agreed and that is what I said if you have a re-read :!:

 

[moa999]

dajop,

From where I live I often travel to the city by train and then to Tull by Skybus. There is no equivilant option for AVV.

I thought there was a bus from Spencer St.

Sita Sunbus
The Sita Group - Avalon Airport Transfers

 

[samh004]

I thought the goal was to get JQ OUT of AVV, not bring more carriers in to make it seem like a better option!

Taking a different tack, why don’t they make AVV the LCC base, so JQ and TT have to be there and presumably DJ will start including meals to get out of it, and that should relieve congestion at MEL.

 

[serfty]

I thought there was a bus from Spencer St.
...

There is; but to compare with the MEL Skybus:

Service:                AVV      MEL

Travel Time (Minutes):   50       20

Services/Day each way:    6       70+

Adult one way:          $20      $16

Adult Return:           $36      $26

This may change with the introduction of more flights to/from AVV, but, IMHO, not by much.

 

[UP4014]

There is; but to compare with the MEL Skybus:

Service:                AVV      MEL
 
 
Services/Day each way:    6       70+
 
 
Adult Return:           $36      $26

This may change with the introduction of more flights to/from AVV, but, IMHO, not by much.

6 services against 70+ is no service really. Or is that because there is so few passengers using AVV.

 

[Justinf]

For someone who lives near Geelong, Avalon is terrific for leisure flights. Flew to and from AVV on the weekend and found it fantastic. 30-min drive, park right near the terminal door, 30-second walk to terminal and a nice, new bar and eating facilities with Bulmers on tap!!!!!!! I rarely fly JQ, but on this occassion, the hassle was far less for me.

 

[markis10]

So does that mean the rocks are going to be repainted half orange/ half yellow , thats the pressing question (checkout 90 beach Rd Avalon on streetview if you are not sure).

 

[samh004]

This might have been raised before, but if JQ were serious about AVV, why haven’t they opened a lounge there, it’s not like OOL is that special

So if JQ aren’t serious about it, why are TT?

Bulmers on tap sounds good, does that mean they have Guinness too?

 

[Saab34]

Tiger are not moving their entire Tullamarine base to Avalon, they are adding more capacity late this year when there is a influx of 7 A320's due before Christmas. Tullamarine is to remain with a minimum 6 Aircraft, and they could possibly manage 7/8 with a very tricky schedule to make room. Melbourne Airport obviously cannot accommodate anymore Tiger aircraft, so Tiger will base them at AVV as a 3rd base, yet startup costs are not as high considering a crew base is already established in the region.

Ideally Tiger is going to try and push JQ to breaking point at Avalon and force them to withdraw, unless they are willing to sustain losses. I would expect Jetstar to then add withdrawn Avalon services to Tullamarine to make it look less bad on their behalf. Exactly what they did with the already canned PER/ADL routes. But then again Avalon is quite a big investment in the Qantas/Jetstar group so who knows.

 

[kamchatsky]

Tiger are not moving their entire Tullamarine base to Avalon, they are adding more capacity late this year when there is a influx of 7 A320's due before Christmas. Tullamarine is to remain with a minimum 6 Aircraft, and they could possibly manage 7/8 with a very tricky schedule to make room. Melbourne Airport obviously cannot accommodate anymore Tiger aircraft, so Tiger will base them at AVV as a 3rd base, yet startup costs are not as high considering a crew base is already established in the region.

Ideally Tiger is going to try and push JQ to breaking point at Avalon and force them to withdraw, unless they are willing to sustain losses. I would expect Jetstar to then add withdrawn Avalon services to Tullamarine to make it look less bad on their behalf. Exactly what they did with the already canned PER/ADL routes. But then again Avalon is quite a big investment in the Qantas/Jetstar group so who knows.

Does it mean Tiger would need to build another Tiger shed in AVV?! :shock:

 

[Mal]

Avalon now confirmed by Tiger:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/...-begin-this-year/story-e6frfhb6-1225855381137

DISCOUNT carrier Tiger Airways has confirmed the best known secret in the aviation business by announcing that it will begin flights late this year from Victoria's second major airport at Avalon.

The airline says the new plan will see Tiger's planes operating from both Avalon and Tullamarine and will take effect once two new 180-seat passenger jets are delivered by European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus.

180 seats on an Airbus? Looks like the trend is catching on!

 

[dajop]

6 services against 70+ is no service really. Or is that because there is so few passengers using AVV.

Just going back to this from nearly 2 weeks ago, IIRC the bus services are timed to meet the JQ services from AVV ie 6 services = 6 runs of the bus - (up to) 4x daily to SYD + 2x daily to BNE

 

[munitalP]

As some of you know, AVV is not too far from home, in fact, I live 18km closer to AVV than Tulla, however, it is not a simple travel ratio - a normal trip to Tulla, I must allow 1 hour, that means a 6AM flight is a out the door at 0415 - a normal trip to AVV, I allow 1/2 an hour (I have done home to check in in sub 18 mins) and have time to spare.

The tin shed concept is wrong as well.

AVV has (the last time I was there) 2 cafe type places and a book store (free news paper in the morning). The lady serving me coffee told me they were also expanding the area to include another shop - perhaps a bar?

I can get a beer in the afternoons, and yes, no QP but it would be like expecting a QP at Ballina - theres just not enough PAX to warrant one (overlooking the fact QF don't fly there)

I think JQ would have to increase its service 3 fold from AVV to consider a JQ lounge such as OOL, but who knows. There's not too many JQ flights leave AVV with empty seats, so I would imagine that the echelons of JQ would be looking close at extra routes.

With tiger in and out of AVV, the feasibility study must have been conducted, and lets face it, the demographic of Geelong and the surrounding areas suits a LCC like tiger anyway ducks for cover )

Also, whispers have it, that after the new platform at Hoppers Crossing is completed, during the building of the spur line through from Werribee to the back of Melton to cater for the housing growth, a new platform is being built at AVV. That would make the airport serviced by train, and for the likes of Straitman, then a very attractive choice coming from coal valley to AVV on V-Line.

I will keep using AVV whenever possible, I keep reminding myself how great it is whenever I have been standing waiting for my bags at MEL or SYD for 25 minutes - at AVV they have turned an aircraft around in that time, and I'm well on my way home

Mr!

 

[straitman]

Also, whispers have it, that after the new platform at Hoppers Crossing is completed, during the building of the spur line through from Werribee to the back of Melton to cater for the housing growth, a new platform is being built at AVV. That would make the airport serviced by train, and for the likes of Straitman, then a very attractive choice coming from coal valley to AVV on V-Line.

When they get this sorted with the appropriate bus connection and when there is an appropriate service there I would certainly look at it. It will not however change my thoughts about TT until they actually do something to improve themselves.

I will keep using AVV whenever possible, I keep reminding myself how great it is whenever I have been standing waiting for my bags at MEL or SYD for 25 minutes - at AVV they have turned an aircraft around in that time, and I'm well on my way home

Mr!

No argument about bags etc from anyone IMHO.

 

[munitalP]

When they get this sorted with the appropriate bus connection and when there is an appropriate service there I would certainly look at it. It will not however change my thoughts about TT until they actually do something to improve themselves.

No argument about bags etc from anyone IMHO.

Sorry Straitman, I wasn't implying you fly TT :shock: :shock: :shock:

That gave me heart flutters!

Mr!