AVALON Airport’s a step close to international flights after its owner signed an agreement with a Chinese airline operator.
Linfox has signed a memorandum of understanding with HNA Group, which operates the fourth-largest airline in China.
The agreement was revealed the same day Qantas engineers leave Avalon for the final time, costing 45 jobs.
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons was quick to act on the HNA agreement, offering company representatives a civic reception before the company or Linfox had formally announced the memorandum.
Cr Lyons called the singing an “important first step in discussions between the HNA Group and Geelong”.
He had also sent a “letter of contgratulations” to HNA group chair Chen Feng with the invitation to visit Geelong for the reception.
“The group has a fleet of more than 300 aircraft and operates some 570 domestic and international routes,” Cr Lyons said.
“HNA Group also has a tourism arm that provides complete travel packages, a fact that offers enormous future potential for Geelong’s tourism and hospitality sector.
“Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the MOA signing is the potential for freight transport between Avalon Airport and China – this would give Geelong based producers direct access to the Chinese market.
“The establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding is the first step in what has the potential to be a fantastic partnership between a major international aviation company and Avalon Airport.”
HNA Group’s website reveals the company was established in 2000.
The company has business interests in air transport, tourism and logistics as well as real estate, retailing and financial services.
Avalon Airport has yet to develop an international terminal after years of working toward securing overseas airline business.
The airport must secure various Federal Government approvals before it could service international passenger flights.
