KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 — AirAsia announced today it would shift its Melbourne operations to the Avalon Airport later this year, making it the first airline to operate international flights at the Australian airport.

AirAsia X Malaysia will operate twice daily flights at the Avalon Airport, with 500,000 international passengers projected to move through the airport in the first year of operations.

"Since our inaugural flight in 2007, AirAsia X has flown over 30 million guests, including 6.1 million Australians — tourists wanting to experience amazing Australia, students from across the globe and Australians who wish to see the world,” AirAsia Group CEO and AirAsia X Co-Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said at an industry event at Avalon Airport in Melbourne.

"We are proud to renew our commitment to making air travel affordable for Australians with this move to Avalon, which will help us maintain our cost edge and allow us to continue offering low fares to Asean, Asia and beyond.”

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said that with 560,000 additional seats allocated annually, the Avalon Airport project would boost business and tourism in both countries.

"We are proud to be the first airline to operate international flights at Avalon Airport, connecting Melbourne and the Victorian region with Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

"Melbourne and Victoria are important markets to us and this new service with 560,000 seats annually will provide a significant boost to business and tourism, including to such attractions as the Great Ocean Road.”