Avalon Airport began in 1952, when the Commonwealth purchased 4,333 acres to enable the construction and testing of the Canberra Jet Bomber Aircraft. Since that time Avalon Airport has played a key role in Australia’s aerospace industry.

In early 1997, Linfox purchased a 100 year lease of Avalon Airport. At that time the airport had only 150 people employed on a full time basis.

Today, over 1,400 people are employed full time, plus hundreds more in downstream industries supporting Avalon Airport activities. In less than a decade – Avalon Airport has become a major employment and economic centre of the Melbourne – Geelong Corridor.

Avalon is the location for Qantas’ Boeing 747 maintenance base. Operating 365 days a year, 16 hours a day, there are now three 747 hangars used by Qantas for aircraft maintenance operations.

In conjunction with these aircraft maintenance activities Avalon continues to pursue many other business opportunities.

Avalon Airport continues to work towards establishing the facility as an international airfreight centre and undertake international airfreight movements, particularly for freight associated with major Melbourne events like the Formula One Grand Prix.

Avalon is home to the Australian International Airshow held every two years. In March Avalon will host the 9th Australian International Airshow, involving around 200,000 visitors, from over 50 countries.
Since acquiring the airport many millions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure.

On 1July 2004, the first Jetstar passengers arrived to Avalon, commencing domestic passenger operations. Since that time around 3 million passengers have passed through Avalon’s terminals.