Linfox talks big with $3m Avalon Airport facelift
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Linfox talks big with $3m Avalon Airport facelift
By Stathi Paxinos
March 26, 2004
Avalon Airport's $3 million facelift was the start of grander plans for the one-time small private airport, Linfox Airports general manager Tim Anderson said yesterday.
Linfox yesterday released a series of artist's impressions showing how the airport, 55 kilometres from Melbourne, will look when Qantas's budget carrier, Jetstar, starts its services from Avalon on June 1.
After years as an aircraft maintenance centre and low-level military airport, the Avalon makeover includes refurbishing the 600-square-metre terminal and building a 500-space car park, which would double in size as passenger numbers increase.
The terminal will initially operate with one gate for arrivals and one for departures and include covered walkways, a lounge and three check-in counters. Transport connections from Melbourne and Geelong to Avalon were also being finalised, he said.
Mr Anderson said he was confident that the project would be completed by the scheduled deadline of May 22, leaving 10 days' leeway to smooth out hitches.
Mr Anderson said the airport would grow with Jetstar, with his vision including a commercial development.
"This is stage one of the development, so as the airline and passenger numbers increase we propose to further expand the terminal, car parking structure and retail components of the building," Mr Anderson said.
He said talks were continuing with organisers of the biennial Avalon Airshow to ensure its survival after Jetstar takes off. Airport officials were also working with Jetstar to devise promotional opportunities to combine the event with air tickets.
Jetstar will serve Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as well as 10 leisure destinations on the east coast. A Jetstar spokeswoman could not provide details about the rate of forward bookings.
Mr Anderson also said Linfox hoped to submit plans for a large direct factory outlet at its Essendon Airport, which it owns in partnership with Becton Corporation, to the Federal Government by May. He said he was expecting shopping centre giant Westfield to contest the plans, as it had taken action to stop Brisbane Airport from developing a $100 million commercial precinct. However, he said that pending approval, the 62,000-square-metre complex would be completed next year.
March 26, 2004
Avalon Airport's $3 million facelift was the start of grander plans for the one-time small private airport, Linfox Airports general manager Tim Anderson said yesterday.
Linfox yesterday released a series of artist's impressions showing how the airport, 55 kilometres from Melbourne, will look when Qantas's budget carrier, Jetstar, starts its services from Avalon on June 1.
After years as an aircraft maintenance centre and low-level military airport, the Avalon makeover includes refurbishing the 600-square-metre terminal and building a 500-space car park, which would double in size as passenger numbers increase.
The terminal will initially operate with one gate for arrivals and one for departures and include covered walkways, a lounge and three check-in counters. Transport connections from Melbourne and Geelong to Avalon were also being finalised, he said.
Mr Anderson said he was confident that the project would be completed by the scheduled deadline of May 22, leaving 10 days' leeway to smooth out hitches.
Mr Anderson said the airport would grow with Jetstar, with his vision including a commercial development.
"This is stage one of the development, so as the airline and passenger numbers increase we propose to further expand the terminal, car parking structure and retail components of the building," Mr Anderson said.
He said talks were continuing with organisers of the biennial Avalon Airshow to ensure its survival after Jetstar takes off. Airport officials were also working with Jetstar to devise promotional opportunities to combine the event with air tickets.
Jetstar will serve Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as well as 10 leisure destinations on the east coast. A Jetstar spokeswoman could not provide details about the rate of forward bookings.
Mr Anderson also said Linfox hoped to submit plans for a large direct factory outlet at its Essendon Airport, which it owns in partnership with Becton Corporation, to the Federal Government by May. He said he was expecting shopping centre giant Westfield to contest the plans, as it had taken action to stop Brisbane Airport from developing a $100 million commercial precinct. However, he said that pending approval, the 62,000-square-metre complex would be completed next year.
