Tourism Victoria is the State Government of Victoria’s lead agency on air services, working to attract new or increased services for the State.

Direct air services are critical to growing Victoria’s export sectors, particularly tourism, international education and trade in high value low volume goods.  Victoria’s competitive position as a global tourism destination is reliant upon its air traffic capabilities.  Over 76% of Victoria’s tourism growth to 2016 is forecast to come from international markets, so increasing the number of direct international flights remains crucial to our tourism success.

Tourism Victoria works closely with Melbourne Airport (currently the State’s only international airport) to help secure international air services. Melbourne Airport provides a world class facility with competitive strengths being curfew free, having a single international and domestic terminal precinct and being easily accessible to the city’s road network.

Tourism Victoria also works closely with Avalon Airport on increasing domestic services from current airlines Tiger and Jetstar. Avalon Airport provides the State with an important alternative in maintenance, freight and passenger services and is currently preparing for opportunities to expand into international services.

Tourism Victoria recognises that there is a need to continue to influence aviation policy and to focus on relationships with airlines. Victoria is well placed to benefit from strong market performance but needs to remain aggressive in an environment that continues to be competitive and challenging.

Historically Tourism Victoria has worked closely with international airlines through cooperative marketing campaigns and other means to increase the number and frequency of direct flights into Melbourne.

Looking to the future

Greater priority will be given to international aviation policy development and advocacy to deliver more direct flights to Victoria.

We will continue our efforts towards network development agreements with carriers to attract additional direct flights to Victoria. We will also continue to work with domestic airlines to boost inbound passenger numbers from strategic destinations.