International flights at Avalon in two years: Linfox Chief

[Aray]

International flights at Avalon in two years: Linfox chief | Herald Sun
Geoff Easdown
March 10, 2009 05:35pm

AVALON is set to become Melbourne's second international airport with government agencies set to sign off on a $50m terminal by the end of the year.

Linfox Aviation, which controls the former military airport under a 99-year lease, is confident Avalon International will be attracting one million passengers annually within two years.

David Fox, executive chairman of the company, said today that up to five overseas airlines had shown keen interest in using Avalon as gateway to Melbourne.

One of the carriers is the Indian discounter Kingfisher Airlines, which operates 218 domestic and long haul flights a day out of Bangalore
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There is a picture of the new terminal in the link above as well.

If for one really hope this happens - will be ideal having budget international airlines routed through Avalon - giving Melbourne two true international airports.

 

[nlagalle]

It'll be good for the area.. Unfortunately the AsiaX fiasco delayed it.

On another note, Lindsay is keen to keep airports open - he also owns Essendon and has increased it's use and it definitely won't be closed now (great news for us GA pilots!)

 

[thewinchester]

AVALON is set to become Melbourne's second international airport with government agencies set to sign off on a $50m terminal by the end of the year...

Sounds like a great idea, on two fronts. First for giving passengers an improved choice of where they fly from (caveat: assuming their carrier flies from either/or location) and where they can go to depending on their price point, and from a competition perspective as there are two private airports now chasing the same business to follow on from the themes of this thread about the state of MEL.

Granted it's been pointed out that MEL is already undergoing significant upgrades at this time at least on its international facilities, could this be the extra kick in the pants that some airport operators need to stand and deliver for passengers - the whole point of airport privatisation?

 

[nlagalle]

Granted it's been pointed out that MEL is already undergoing significant upgrades at this time at least on its international facilities, could this be the extra kick in the pants that some airport operators need to stand and deliver for passengers - the whole point of airport privatisation?

I think you'll find in 10 years time Melbourne will be far better placed than Sydney for aircraft movements. MEL will hopefully get the 3rd runway, fixed up terminal, and we'll have another airport handling more flights.. 20 years Sydney have been trying to build a second airport and they'll still be trying in 10 years time!

 

[thewinchester]

I think you'll find in 10 years time Melbourne will be far better placed than Sydney for aircraft movements. MEL will hopefully get the 3rd runway, fixed up terminal, and we'll have another airport handling more flights.. 20 years Sydney have been trying to build a second airport and they'll still be trying in 10 years time!

Very true, just had the name Badgerys Creek come to mind and started sniggering on the inside. Then again, one only has to look at the LHR experience with T5 and the kerfuffle going on over their third runway to know that SYD's problems aren't exactly isolated in the world airport game.

 

[nlagalle]

Very true, just had the name Badgerys Creek come to mind and started sniggering on the inside. Then again, one only has to look at the LHR experience with T5 and the kerfuffle going on over their third runway to know that SYD's problems aren't exactly isolated in the world airport game.

Yes that name came to mind too!! but there is only so many movements SYD can handle per day, and I doubt they'll add another runway either.. If Avalon grew there is space to add another runway.. although i wonder what would happen to the airshow....

 

[markis10]

Whats with the jetstar flavored painted rocks at AVV anyway, and the speed humps, it takes 40 minutes on the freeway to get to the entrance and another 10 to navigate the access road with its crazy rocks and speed humps!

Did someone really upset Lindsay or is that the job when you get work experience with Linfox - go paint some rocks :shock:

 

[Aray]

Whats with the jetstar flavored painted rocks at AVV anyway, and the speed humps, it takes 40 minutes on the freeway to get to the entrance and another 10 to navigate the access road with its crazy rocks and speed humps!

Did someone really upset Lindsay or is that the job when you get work experience with Linfox - go paint some rocks :shock:

Agh yeah I couldnt agree more with overly convoluted entry to Jetstars terminal !

If the new terminal goes ahead will need an upgrade ..

 

[Nigelinoz]

I personally think they will struggle to get it up and running in two years,consider factors like customs infrastructure etc and training (presumably they will have to employ some extra staff) add on factors such as the need to upgrade car parking etc and I can't see it taking anything less than 3 years.
So at the moment from my point of view,it's I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[markis10]

I personally think they will struggle to get it up and running in two years,consider factors like customs infrastructure etc and training (presumably they will have to employ some extra staff) add on factors such as the need to upgrade car parking etc and I can't see it taking anything less than 3 years.
So at the moment from my point of view,it's I'll believe it when I see it.

Avalon is a designated international airport already for restricted use and for the purposes of alternate diversions of iternational services, there is actually a customs presence in place sharing resources with the nearby port, however I agree with your timeframe, domestic passengers dont like sheds, international passengers more so!

 

[straitman]

Yes that name came to mind too!! but there is only so many movements SYD can handle per day, and I doubt they'll add another runway either.. If Avalon grew there is space to add another runway.. although i wonder what would happen to the airshow....

Another runway and associated taxiways would make the airshow flow more easily. Currently they have to break off the show whilst a/c taxi along the runway.

 

[nlagalle]

Another runway and associated taxiways would make the airshow flow more easily. Currently they have to break off the show whilst a/c taxi along the runway.

They would still need to break the show to allow aircraft in or out, even if there was another runway. they could taxi around at the north end, but the area display area needs to be clear of aircraft.

 

[straitman]

They would still need to break the show to allow aircraft in or out, even if there was another runway. they could taxi around at the north end, but the area display area needs to be clear of aircraft.

Yes but if worked properly those interruptions could be of a shorter duration than at present.

.... and if it's a/c taking off and landing it works within the concept of the airshow.

 

[BAM1748]

Yes but if worked properly those interruptions could be of a shorter duration than at present.

.... and if it's a/c taking off and landing it works within the concept of the airshow.

Perhaps one of the airports in Adelaide could grab the airshow, or plenty of others around the country that could host.

 

[straitman]

Perhaps one of the airports in Adelaide could grab the airshow, or plenty of others around the country that could host.

... and which one were you thinking of :?:

Avalon does well because from an aviation perspective it's relatively wide open and no body much lives near by. I can't see any other major airport area in the country being able to consistently tolerate the noise.

 

[nlagalle]

... and which one were you thinking of :?:

Avalon does well because from an aviation perspective it's relatively wide open and no body much lives near by. I can't see any other major airport area in the country being able to consistently tolerate the noise.

And have the open space for the performances. None of the other airports have a setup like Avalon, where it is still quite under developed in the area. The only airport in Adelaide that could host it would be Edinburgh. Parafield has too short a runways, and has housing close by.

There was concern about Jetstar services a few years back just as they started flying there, but it hasn't really proved a problem.

 

[straitman]

And have the open space for the performances. None of the other airports have a setup like Avalon, where it is still quite under developed in the area. The only airport in Adelaide that could host it would be Edinburgh. Parafield has too short a runways, and has housing close by.

There was concern about Jetstar services a few years back just as they started flying there, but it hasn't really proved a problem.

Edinburgh is too built up also.

It's a pity Avalon is such a pain to get in and out of for the spectators :!:

Yesterday at Avalon a couple of Jetstar flights came and went as did a Qantas 744. Amazing how quiet they all are compared to the military hardware.

 

[straitman]

I'd be interested to find out what happened to the F111 yesterday. It started it's display (for about 2 min) and then suddenly went into a very gentle and wide circuit and and landing. Consensus of the group (snr airforce) I was with was he had some sort of a problem. Pity as they do a great display and I might not see one fly again.

 

[nlagalle]

It's a pity Avalon is such a pain to get in and out of for the spectators :!:

Yesterday at Avalon a couple of Jetstar flights came and went as did a Qantas 744. Amazing how quiet they all are compared to the military hardware.

After driving there in 1997, flying myself there in 99, 03 and 05, was a much nicer way to arrive and leave!!! 20 mins from AV to MMB flying around the bay was delightful!

 

[nlagalle]

I'd be interested to find out what happened to the F111 yesterday. It started it's display (for about 2 min) and then suddenly went into a very gentle and wide circuit and and landing. Consensus of the group (snr airforce) I was with was he had some sort of a problem. Pity as they do a great display and I might not see one fly again.

I'm upset I am in Adelaide and won't make it back.. I usually go to the trade shows and it's easier to get around. and having a media pass is such a good way to get in too!!