AirAsia becomes first airline to touch down at Melbourne’s second international airport - Avalon

• Launch fares on sale now from RM499*

AirAsia, the world's best low-cost airline has touched down at Melbourne Avalon Airport this morning, launching the first international services to and from Victoria's second airport in Melbourne's Southwest.

Operated by AirAsia's long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X, Flight D7218 touched down at 8.20am (GMT 11+) bringing the first of more than 500,000 international visitors this coming year to the region.

To celebrate, the airline has launched a welcome to Melbourne Avalon sale with fares starting from just RM499* each way between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne Avalon (for travel now through to May 2019).

The inaugural landing of AirAsia at Avalon seals a 10-year deal between the Southeast Asia-based airline and Melbourne's Avalon Airport and follows more than $48 million dollars of investment from the Australian and Victorian Governments to develop the new facility near the City of Geelong.

AirAsia X Group CEO Nadda Buranasiri said, "The arrival of AirAsia X Flight D7218 at the state of the art new low-cost carrier terminal at Melbourne Avalon signifies a new era for travellers and for the AirAsia Group in Australia.

"This purpose-built no-frills facility has today become one of the most important international hubs AirAsia flies to outside of Southeast Asia," said Mr Buranasiri.

"By working together with airport, government and regional stakeholders, we've been able to deliver a long term deal that provides lower operating costs for AirAsia, increased passenger volumes and non-aeronautical revenue for Avalon Airport, and ultimately the opportunity for millions of people to fly affordably.

Airports that are in synch with our low-cost carrier model (LCCT's), have allowed AirAsia to stimulate air travel in destinations that would otherwise go underserved, becoming the catalyst for providing affordable air travel from secondary ports such as Bangkok, Thailand (Don Mueang Airport), Tianjin, China (near Beijing), Clark (Manila) and now Avalon Airport, Melbourne.

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said, "After more than a decade of flying operations and millions of passengers flown to and from Melbourne Tullamarine, our move to Melbourne's' Avalon Airport will provide Australian guests with the opportunity to travel at great value fares to more than 130 destinations in our network throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the US (Hawaii). This includes Australian favourites such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India and Japan.

"Importantly, for our Southeast Asia guests, the move provides easy access to the coastal town of Geelong and one of Australia's number one touring routes, the Great Ocean road.

"For many Melburnians, Melbourne Avalon is much closer than you think and the door-to-gate experience from home to the aircraft, will be more convenient and affordable when factoring in freeway traffic, airport congestion, tolls and offsite parking.

"We'd like to thank the Australian and Victorian Government's, the Linfox family and the local region for making this transition a reality for our international guests," said Mr Benyamin.

FAST FACTS:

• AirAsia X Flight D7218 travelled 6,454km from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Melbourne Avalon, Australia

• AirAsia X Flight D7218 was operated using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 12 Premium Flatbed and 365 economy class seats

• AirAsia X Flight D7218 was crewed by 3 pilots and 8 cabin crew including 2 recently appointed Australian Cabin Crew from Perth and Sydney.

• AirAsia and its ground handler have a team of more than 60 local staff stationed at the new Avalon International Terminal

• AirAsia will operate a total 28 flights per week between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne Avalon connecting passengers to more than 130 destinations across Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the United States

• AirAsia guests who fly to Melbourne Avalon will benefit from a range of 'Avalon Advantages' including cheaper parking, no Tullamarine freeway tolls, convenient access to Melbourne CBD via SkyBus, new airport infrastructure and a hassle-free arrival and departure process.

• AirAsia currently operates services between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Perth, Sydney, the Gold Coast and now Melbourne Avalon. AirAsia also operates services between Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia and Perth.

Flight Schedule for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) to Melbourne, Australia (AVV) commencing 4 December 2018.