A question mark had been hanging over Victoria’s third-largest airport for more than two years with insufficient passenger numbers worrying operators.

The number of destinations provided by the airport had gradually reduced to the point where Sydney was the only city on the departure lounge noticeboard.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the deal yesterday which would support operations at Avalon for the next decade and prevent the end of all passenger flights from the airport.

“This partnership means more flights to more destinations, and will create jobs for Geelong and the region,” the Premier said yesterday.

Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox will contribute $1.4 million under the deal given his company Linfox operates the site north of Geelong.

Mr Andrews and Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio claimed the state contribution was necessary in order to save roughly 200 jobs associated with Avalon’s passenger services.

Ms D’Ambrosio said the increase in services would deliver an additional 700 visitors per week to the region.

As part of the deal, Jetstar will fly to two new domestic destinations which will be announced in the coming months and increase the number of flights from five to seven per day.

Unfortunately, Avalon Airport’s commercial flights record has been patchy. 

Hazelton Airlines first tried passenger flights from Avalon in 1995 but ended the experiment only a few months later due to lack of demand. Tiger Airways also tried and failed with Geelong-Sydney flights after a few years of operations.

Jetstar has been more successful with flights commencing from the site in 2004 although the number of destinations offered is now far less than what it once was.

The location of Avalon Airport is convenient for south-west holidaymakers. For a number of reasons however, it remains underutilised. Yesterday’s announcement is welcome news but passengers need to support it in greater numbers if they expect it to continue functioning.