AirAsia X to move Melbourne flights to Avalon

AirAsia X announced July 10 it will move its twice-daily operations to Melbourne, Australia, from Tullamarine International Airport to Avalon Airport. The move, to begin December 5, will make AirAsia X the second airline after Jetstar and the first international operator to fly scheduled flights out of the single-runway Avalon airport. Operating the Airbus A330-300, the two daily flights will be adjusted from the current Kuala Lumpur-Tullamarine schedule, arriving Avalon in the morning and evening. AirAsia said that the move would mean lower operating costs. Avalon is undergoing an A$20m extension to handle international flights, which will include adding retail and immigration facilities. The upgrade will make Avalon the second international airport in the Victoria state.<br/>