Avalon Airport will be opened to General Aviation traffic. Traditionally, the Linfox-leased airport has been reserved for high-level commercial operations only.
The move comes hot on the heel of a Victorian government study into GA in the Geelong area, which identified Avalon as one of the best options to take traffic potentially lost to the area after the closure of Grovedale.
In announcing the new initiative, Aviation Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips highlighted the benefits of GA using Avalon.
“The closure of the Geelong Airport at Grovedale has driven a need to find a new home for commercial and private aviation in the region,” he said.
“Avalon can now attract and service the general aviation market and offer an accessible alternative for recreational users. Private and commercial flight training, charter and emergency services will be able to use the airport.”
Mr Rich-Phillips said Avalon Airport also played an important role in bringing tourists to the region and acting as a gateway to the Geelong region and the Great Ocean Road.
“The decision to open to general aviation reinforces Avalon’s position as a hub for tourism and as a destination for the aviation community.”
Aircraft operators can choose to base their aircraft at Avalon Airport.
However, GA usage will not be open-slather. Circuit training is to be restricted to blocks of time to ensure there is no conflict with heavy jet movements. These blocks will be known as Circuit Training Periods, and will attract discounted aeronautical charges, but that will still amount to $20 per touch-and-go for itinerant aircraft and $15 for resident aircraft.
The new procedures are outlined on the Avalon Airport website.