Jetstar increases flights from Avalon (instead of ceasing operations)

[Scr77]

Jetstar is increasing Avalon flights from 5 to 7 per day. If there's poor demand for 5 flights a day, not sure how an extra 2 is going to help? Perhaps somewhere other than Sydney would be a good start.

Victorian Government signs $12m deal to keep Jetstar at Avalon airport - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[toowongman]

Perhaps somewhere other than Sydney would be a good start.

WTB would be neat.

 

[TomVexille]

So what happens if yields get worse out of AVV. Is that $12 mil enough to subsidise more routes?

 

[jxv]

The ABC news item mentions "new destinations". That is good news!

When we moved to Geelong about 10 years ago, we could, and did, fly AVV to SYD, BNE, and PER. Before I fully retired I often travelled AVV-SYD-DBO vv for work. I am not a fan of JQ, but the convenience of not having to go all the way to MEL, being able to park opposite the terminal building and, with OLCI and HLO, being able to walk straight into the departure area only 20 - 30 minutes before departure is pure luxury!

 

[eastwest101]

Costs estimated to be about $60K per job "saved" - gee - I wonder where the most marginal federal and state seats in Australia are located?

 

[RickyT84]

Costs estimated to be about $60K per job "saved" - gee - I wonder where the most marginal federal and state seats in Australia are located?

Its not too bad considering the amount per job is about $6k per year. IMHO, this generates more 'value' than the car industry subsidy (granted it is made by both the Commonwealth and State government).

Either way its good to see JQ 'expanding' in AVV again. Wonder its new destinations are - PER? BNE? ADL?

 

[samh004]

WTB would be neat.

Gold Coast might be a good spot, unless they already fly there?

Does WTB have the numbers? QF only flies a Q400 there. There's a big stretch to an A320.

 

[dajop]

When we moved to Geelong about 10 years ago, we could, and did, fly AVV to SYD, BNE, and PER.

Have often thought why not just call it Geelong Airport, instead of Melbourne (Avalon). Call a spade a spade, it's 20km from the centre of Geelong.

 

[kalboy]

Whatever happened to that China deal AVV were talking about last year ?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I would assume BNE would be restored or possibly OOL. Lots of Geelong folk holiday On the goldy

 

[TomVexille]

Gold Coast might be a good spot, unless they already fly there?

Does WTB have the numbers? QF only flies a Q400 there. There's a big stretch to an A320.

Pretty sure it's only SYD at the moment

 

[toowongman]

Gold Coast might be a good spot, unless they already fly there?

Does WTB have the numbers? QF only flies a Q400 there. There's a big stretch to an A320.

Yes, a couple of Q400s a day to SYD. However the feedback from our group up north is that they'd rather drive 2 hours to BNE for a non-stop than deal with the change of aircraft at SYD when heading south. Then again, I'm sure QF group have the data to make some decisions on this.

 

[soorox]

Whatever happened to that China deal AVV were talking about last year ?

No international airline wants it, they all rather wait it out for MEL instead, even if they were given rights on a silver plater they still don't want AVV. It's simple as that.

 

[777]

Have often thought why not just call it Geelong Airport, instead of Melbourne (Avalon). Call a spade a spade, it's 20km from the centre of Geelong.

Agreed. I've thought the same for a very long time.

 

[smit0847]

This news makes me so mad. What a huge waste of state government money. TT and DJ pulled out years ago because it was unprofitable – Jetstar have been wanting to pull out for years and the only reason they are staying is because the State Government are absolutely hurling money at them to stay. Jetstar gives Geelong eight months to prove Avalon’s worth | Geelong Advertiser

I suspect OOL will be one of the next destinations – AVV is a dreadful location for business travellers (hence BNE not working for JQ) so perhaps pure leisure destinations will be more successful. Maybe HBA will be the other?

No airlines (JQ included) want to fly there but I reckon they should be approaching Cebu Pacific. I know they’re trying to get traffic rights for MEL as we speak and they have an even lower cost base than JQ or TT so would be looking to reduce costs wherever they could (there’s not a lot of fat on a $144 return sale fare to MNL). AVV should offer them free landing rights for at least a year, in exchange for a 2 year minimum commitment. They’ve tried luring LCCs without success but Cebu is more of an ultra-LCC so they might be more interested.

Melbourne already has a 24-hour, well-functioning airport that is not even at capacity. It doesn’t need a second airport. We’re not Sydney. If Geelong want their own airport so badly the Geelong City Council should be wasting the money, not the State Government. At the very least they should be renaming it Geelong Avalon airport to acknowledge it for what it is. Its never worked and it never will.

 

[paxman]

I think the Premier's comment the other day was 'use it or lose it Geelong'. MEL doesn't need a new airport, it needs a better ways of getting to the damn thing!

 

[dajop]

Maybe a necessary evil to quote Don Chipp "Keep the b@#)(ds honest" at MEL. I do vaguely remember reading the presence of AVV was used as leverage in negotiations by both TT & JQ with MEL.

But $1m + per year in subsidies to effectively subsidise a private, overpriced car park in a glorified cow paddock. Make the parking fees cheaper and might remove one disincentive. You can book MEL parking 3 days for $28 in Long Term Car Park, or at worst just drive up and pay $69. AVV charge $69 for three days. Ridiculous. I bet there's also a hefty rental concession fee as well.

 

[moa999]

Both being on the West side of Melbourne and more growth happening on the East doesn't really help matters.

Surprised that there wasn't any talk about the short rail connection, given the plans are supposdely ready and you would think a 10yr contract might support the business case.

 

[soorox]

No airlines (JQ included) want to fly there but I reckon they should be approaching Cebu Pacific. I know they’re trying to get traffic rights for MEL as we speak and they have an even lower cost base than JQ or TT so would be looking to reduce costs wherever they could (there’s not a lot of fat on a $144 return sale fare to MNL). AVV should offer them free landing rights for at least a year, in exchange for a 2 year minimum commitment. They’ve tried luring LCCs without success but Cebu is more of an ultra-LCC so they might be more interested.

5J was given exclusive rights to fly to AVV, and rejected them, they are now waiting for rights for MEL services, so that in itself tells us how airlines, even ULCC's where cost is everything thinks of AVV.

MEL and APAC aren't stupid, they know once one goes over they might be up for a battle for airline customers, they are doing whatever they can as the more attractive airport to keep airlines away from AVV. They are very accommodating to LCC's and have a very good relationship with them, AirAsia, a contender for AVV in the early days have even stated that they won't even move as they are happy with MEL. LCC's will carry a bulk of Asian traffic in the years to come as more expand their Asian operations by going long haul, thats just too many passengers to loose for MEL and APAC.

JQ and TT don't even need AVV as the new T4 is about to open at MEL, that will give both airlines at least 5+ years to expand operations at MEL.

 

[smit0847]

I suspect OOL will be one of the next destinations – AVV is a dreadful location for business travellers (hence BNE not working for JQ) so perhaps pure leisure destinations will be more successful. Maybe HBA will be the other

New AVV-OOL service announced today as predicted.