- Published:
- Monday 10 November 2025 at 2:00 pm
The Allan Labor Government is backing Victoria’s second international airport and bringing international Jetstar flights back to Avalon.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks and Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams joined Melbourne Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss and Jetstar to announce that the airline will run international flights from Avalon to Bali from March.
Jetstar will also restart their domestic route to Adelaide and increase flights to Brisbane – bringing even more visitors from across Australia to Geelong and visitor hotspots like the Great Ocean Road.
In total, the expansion will add up to 320,000 new low-fare seats annually in and out of Melbourne’s second airport gateway, with 120,000 seats alone on the new Avalon to Bali service operating five return flights a week.
The airport will also receive major upgrades to prepare for the influx of flights, including 1,000 new seats across the international and domestic terminals, upgrades to runway lighting, security equipment, CCTV cameras, new water connections to the control tower and an additional 500 car parking spaces.
The upgrades alone will create more than 80 new jobs, on top of the boost to the visitor economy that the new flights will deliver.
Deloitte Access Economics has estimated that a typical daily international airline service contributes $160.8 million in value and over 1,000 FTE jobs to the Victorian economy.
The Labor Government will also deliver a new bus route between Lara Station and the airport in the coming months, providing a vital public transport connection for passengers and workers.
The new Route 18 will be the first public bus service for Avalon, connecting the airport to Lara Station seven days a week and making it easier for passengers and workers to get to and from the airport, complementing the uplift to services on the Geelong line delivered last year.
Victoria has proudly been the home of Jetstar since it was established in 2004 and is the airline’s largest base, which employs more than 3,000 people across the state.
This announcement builds on the recent opening of a new freight processing facility at the precinct, supporting hundreds of jobs across cargo handling, warehousing and distribution.
As Victoria’s second international airport, Avalon plays a vital role in maintaining a competitive, diversified aviation network that supports key sectors, including tourism, freight, logistics, international education and trade.
Victoria’s aviation sector contributed $23 billion in value-added economic activity to the State in 2022-2023, supporting over 138,000 FTE jobs.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“Now arriving: more flights for Avalon and more jobs for Geelong.”
Quote attributable to Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Tully
“This investment will see thousands more customers fly through Melbourne’s second airport gateway, supporting the economic growth of Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula.”
Quote attributable to Melbourne Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss
“The Avalon - Jetstar partnership is now into its 22nd year and this renewed partnership both in domestic and international services, will deliver more frequency and better connections, and the ability for people between Melbourne and Geelong to start their journey closer to home.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks
“These new flights and services are a major boost for jobs and will give people easier access to the airport.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams
“The new bus route will deliver better public transport options for Avalon and ensure improved access for thousands of workers and passengers every day, together with the additional services on the Geelong Line delivered last year.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
“This infrastructure will set the foundation for even more flights in regional Victoria for years to come.”
Quote attributable to Member for Lara Ella George
“The new daily bus route from Lara to Avalon is a major boost for public transport in Geelong’s North and will help workers and travellers get to Avalon Airport and the employment precinct.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“This means more jobs, more flights, more people and more money in the local economy.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“It’ll help drive more visitors to the Bellarine and give locals more flight options closer to home.”