Avalon Airport, 55 kilometres south-west of Melbourne’s CBD, took another stride towards becoming Victoria’s second international freight hub today after signing a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based ground-handling giant dnata. The agreement—announced at a 15 July media event—sets out a 12-month roadmap to integrate dnata’s global cargo systems with Avalon’s newly opened 15,000-square-metre bonded terminal. Avalon CEO Ari Suss said the partnership would help attract scheduled freighter services and belly-cargo capacity from Middle-East carriers already handled by dnata in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. "Our goal is to give Victorian exporters a low-congestion alternative to Melbourne Tullamarine, cutting truck drayage times by up to two hours and reducing carbon emissions in the process," he told reporters. Under the MoU the parties will pilot digital data exchange, explore specialised cool-chain infrastructure and develop training programmes for local staff in dnata’s Cargo One platform. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, who attended the signing, said the state government sees Avalon as a keystone for decentralising freight growth as Victoria’s air-cargo market is forecast to exceed 470,000 tonnes by 2030. For companies moving time-sensitive pharmaceuticals and high-value perishables, expanded lift at Avalon could translate into later cut-off times and faster delivery to Asia and the Gulf. Logistics managers note that dnata’s presence brings established security protocols and electronic airway-bill capability, smoothing compliance with Australia’s strict export screening rules introduced after the 2025 air-cargo reforms. If feasibility studies confirm sufficient volume, Avalon and dnata aim to lodge an application with Border Force for an Enhanced Air Cargo Examination Facility (EACEF) licence by early 2027. Success would position the airport as a competitor to Brisbane West Wellcamp and Western Sydney International in the race for new trans-Pacific and Middle-East freighter routes.
Source: Daily Cargo News
