Avalon Airport has formally launched its new international terminal ahead of AirAsia flights commencing on December 5, 2018. The airport expects to handle 500,000 international passengers in its first year of operation.
The state-of-the-art terminal includes two duty-free stores, Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) facilities and a full bar and café. It is also the first airport in Australia to offer intelligent computed tomography cabin baggage screening to international travelers.
“Our mission is to be the best small airport in the world by providing passengers the service they expect of an international airport with the best price and greater efficiency,” said Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings. “This terminal has room for expansion, and we look forward to announcing new routes and to housing further airlines in the future.”
“The partnership with AirAsia is a significant moment for not just Avalon Airport, but the entire region,” added David Fox, executive chairman of Linfox Airports, which operates Avalon. “These operations will produce a substantial boost to jobs in the region, provide new tourism to regional areas, and offer exporters quicker and easier access to Asian markets.”
The 6,370m² (68,566ft²) terminal includes a 985m² (10,602ft²) mezzanine and cost A$48m (US$35m) to construct.