By Luke Voogt
Avalon Airport is ready for flights to the Gold Coast and Adelaide on December 18, according to chief executive officer Justin Giddings.
“If needed, we could have a flight this afternoon,” he said yesterday.
“We just need to turn the lights on, call up the security company to staff our security equipment and then we’d be ready to welcome passengers.
“It’s more about the availability of aircraft, and getting flight crew, engineers and other staff re-certified.”
Mr Giddings yesterday urged the Queensland and South Australian governments to announce dates for the reopening of their borders with Victoria.
“If the Queensland government is expecting people to come up, they need to make that call immediately,” he said.
“I want them to make a decision this week.”
This would give airlines time to prepare, and allow families to save, book leave and research their itinerary, Mr Giddings said.
“People don’t usually just go out and buy a Queensland ticket and then go the next day. People are making decisions now on whether to go to Queensland over the Christmas period.
“A lot of families will want the certainty of being able to fly before they book.”
Mr Giddings’ call comes as Victoria recorded its 13th consecutive day with no new COVID-19 cases.
“The Victorian government has done a great job in almost eliminating the virus and it’s time to start rewarding people by letting them fly,” he said.
Victoria now has just three active cases compared to eight in Queensland, although none of the latter figure resulted from community transmission.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has foreshadowed the state could reopen to Victorians as early as December 1, but the state’s government had yet to make an announcement when the Independent went to press yesterday.
With destinations such as Bali off-limits, Mr Giddings said there was great demand in Geelong for travel to the Gold Coast over the holiday period.
“It’s an incredible part of the world.”
A Jetstar spokesperson said the airline would “continue to monitor the easing of restrictions between Victoria and other states”.
