A destination no more. The Canberra-Avalon route was just a trial. Photo: Avalon Airport.
Direct flights from Canberra to Avalon Airport near Geelong have been axed after only four months of operation but the operator is holding out hope that the route could be reinstated at some point.
Regional carrier Fly Pelican lunched the inaugural route last October, operating three direct flights a week between the two regions on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with fares starting from $250 one-way.
But flights will now cease from 13 March.
An Australian-owned, regional carrier based in Newcastle and servicing Narrabri and Cobar, as well as Canberra, Sydney and the Gold Coast, Fly Pelican operates a fleet of British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft, seating 19 passengers.
Fly Pelican CEO Marty Hawley had said when the route began that it was an exciting new step for the regional company.
“We’re proud to provide the very first direct link between Canberra and Avalon – two dynamic regions with strong business and tourism appeal,” he said.
“We’ve listened to our customers and are confident this route will be popular with both leisure and corporate travellers.”
But it turns out the new service was only flying on a trial basis.
Mr Hawley said on Thursday (19 February) that the Canberra to Avalon service was introduced as a trial, with a review planned for early this year.
“Following the completion of that trial, a decision was made to pause the service,” he said.
“We continue to assess opportunities across our network and will consider the potential for reinstating the Canberra to Avalon route on a seasonal basis in the future, subject to demand and operational considerations.”
Located about 50 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and just 20 minutes from Geelong, Avalon Airport offers easy access to the wineries and beaches of the Bellarine Peninsula.
It serves as the gateway to one of Australia’s most scenic drives – the Great Ocean Road.
Avalon is also home to the Australian International Airshow, which draws thousands of visitors every year.
Fly Pelican had been the only carrier offering direct access between the capital and Victoria’s western coast, with bigger carriers like Virgin and Qantas favouring Melbourne’s larger Tullamarine Airport.
Canberra Airport head of aviation Michael Thomson said in October that the new route opened opportunities for Canberrans to visit the Bellarine Peninsula or Geelong, while also “welcoming Victorians to explore all that Canberra has to offer”.
Mr Thomson added it was part of the airport’s long-term vision to grow domestic travel opportunities and better serve the national capital.
Canberra Airport declined to comment on Fly Pelican’s decision.
