Avalon airport pain: Jetstar passengers drive to Melbourne to board flights

The extensive snubbing, revealed by Jetstar chiefs yesterday, means the airline is continuing to lose money at Avalon at a time when the airline is reviewing its operations at the airport.

Jetstar bookings data revealed 10 per cent of customers from Surf Coast, Bellarine, Newtown and South Geelong areas chose to fly to Sydney from Melbourne Airport instead of Avalon, along with 7 per cent from Belmont, Grovedale and Highton, 5 per cent from Corio, Norlane, North Shore and Lara and 25 per cent from the Werribee district.

A ‘use it or lose it’ campaign has been running in the lead- up to an April 30 deadline on an $11 million, 18-month rescue package, and the airline, State Government and airport owner Linfox remain in negotiations.

The airline flies up to five Avalon-to-Sydney flights a day and despite reports of consistently strong passenger loads, continues to lose money on the route, in addition to $2.75 million it contributed to the rescue package. Low yield on low fares continues to bite.

“We’re continuing to review our Avalon services and looking at ways to make them commercially sustainable,” a Jetstar spokesman said yesterday. “Our discussions with the State Government and Avalon Airport about the viability of these services are ongoing.”

Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings urged Jetstar to consider flexibility of flying options as the reason passengers might be choosing Melbourne.

“It’s been something we’ve said publicly and to Jetstar in the past, additional flights provide flexibility for the public,” Mr Giddings said.

“We would encourage them when they’re doing this review to not only look at retaining the five flights but maybe looking at increasing flights to add some flexibility.”

The Victorian Government underpinned Jetstar’s rescue package with a $5 million contribution, alongside $2.75 million apiece from Jetstar and Linfox.

A spokeswoman for Victorian Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said talks would continue.

“We understand the importance of Avalon Airport to Geelong and Victoria and are committed to continuing discussions,” she said.