AirAsia to transition its Melbourne services to Avalon Airport

SEPANG, 10 July 2018 – AirAsia today confirmed it will transition its twice daily Melbourne (Australia) services from Tullamarine Airport to Avalon Airport from 5 December this year, at the same time launching the first ever services from Victoria’s second international airport.

Operated by AirAsia’s long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X, the double daily return services departing Kuala Lumpur’s klia2 (mid morning and evening) will deliver guests from Malaysia and Asean closer to one of Australia’s top tourism drawcards, the Great Ocean Road, while continuing to provide convenient and affordable access to downtown Melbourne.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail made the announcement at Tune Hotel klia2 yesterday, in the presence of numerous tourism, airport and industry officials including Councillor Bruce Harwood, Mayor for the City of Greater Geelong, H.E. Andrew Goledzinowski AM, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia and Mr Justin Giddings, CEO of Avalon Airport, at a media event to promote Victoria, the Great Ocean Road and its surroundings.

“As the flagship carrier to launch international services from Avalon Airport, this is a game changer for consumers, for tourism and for the industry. We’re confident that our great value fares to and from Melbourne, will prove popular with Australians wanting to fly to KL or connect to our global network of 130 popular leisure destinations and conversely, ASEAN will benefit from consistently affordable and convenient access to Victoria.

“Value, innovation and choice are at the heart of everything we do. We are very pleased to be moving our Melbourne services to the state of the art new facilities at Avalon Airport in Victoria, Australia, ensuring we can continue to provide great value airfares for our guests and look at potential opportunities to grow our Melbourne services in the future.

“Avalon Airport has many advantages including a hassle free, streamlined arrivals and departures area and location close to one of Australia’s greatest tourism icons - the Great Ocean Road, at the same time retaining convenient access to the downtown CBD.

“To celebrate, we have put airfares on sale to Melbourne (Avalon Airport) starting from only RM199* all-in one-way which is the lowest ever seen on this route from AirAsia.

He continued, “Our target is to carry half a million guests in the first year of operation, and we’re already reviewing other exciting destinations we could potentially launch from Avalon in the future.”

Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings said, "The new international terminal construction is well underway. At almost 9000sqm, it will house state of the art facilities with the latest innovations in customs equipment and processes, as well as a fantastic choice of Duty Free shopping and food and beverage options. We can’t wait to welcome AirAsia as our first international tenant as well as guests from Malaysia and around the world to our new international terminal.”

A special promotion to Melbourne with all-in fares from as low as RM199* one-way is available for booking on airasia.com from now until 15 July 2018, for travel from 5 December 2018 to 13 August 2019.

The airline has changed the destination airport at Melbourne, Australia from Tullamarine Airport (Airport code MEL) to Avalon Airport (Airport code AVV) in its booking system for flights departing 5 December onwards. Flight D7 218 from Kuala Lumpur will be the first service into Avalon Airport scheduled to arrive Melbourne on the morning of 5 December 2018.

Guests booked to travel with AirAsia X to/from Melbourne from 5 December onwards will be contacted directly by the airline and provided with their new travel details including a range of provisions should they wish to change their travel plans.

Guests can always reach out to AirAsia through official channels published on support.airasia.com.

Keep up to date with AirAsia's latest promotions and activities via Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia).