By NOEL MURPHY
JETSTAR direct flights from Avalon to Brisbane cease next week in the latest setback for the discount airline and the airport.
Flights to Brisbane via Sydney might remain possible and Jetstar will offer an additional daily Sydney flight from Avalon but the end of April will mark another unwanted cut for the airport’s chief tenant.
Jetstar operations at Avalon were set to cease until State Government, the airline Jetstar and Avalon owner Linfox struck an $11 million deal to keep flights on site until April next year.
Avalon and state and federal governments have maintained an optimistic face in recent weeks with announcements of an impending Chinese international carrier, Hainan, and new general aviation operations.
The announcements, which eclipsed media coverage of 300 Qantas and Forstaff maintenance workers exiting Avalon, failed to prevent the airport, Jetstar and Qantas still drawing negative attention on multiple fronts.
This week Avalon was slammed over a controversial Melbourne billboard slogan and Facebook banner delcaring, ‘Fly domestic without having one’.
Qantas was forced to turn around three flights to Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Sydney after faults were detected.
Jetstar said its overall number of services from Avalon would remain unchanged at up to 35 departures weekly.
Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer David Hall last month said the decision to cut the loss-making Brisbane service was made in consultation with Avalon Airport management.
The extra Sydney flight would help provide a “better spread of services” throughout the day and would offer more convenient connections elsewhere.
The Independent was unable to contact Avalon chief Justin Giddings for comment.
