Victoria On Global Stage As Avalon Airshow Takes Flight

The skies above Avalon Airport will soon be thundering as the 2017 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition prepare for take-off.

Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan today visited Avalon Airport for a special preview of the first demonstration flights ahead of next week’s official opening.

The aerial spectacles are expected to attract up to 200,000 visitors, create more than 2,000 jobs and boost Victoria’s economy by up to $150 million.

The Airshow is the largest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and will feature thrilling aerobatic displays and the Australian debut of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Victoria’s aviation, aerospace and defence credentials will be on show to the world – with more than 35,000 trade delegates coming from Asia, North America and Europe, along with 600 companies.

The defence sector contributes more than $8 billion to the Victorian economy – the industry has more than 300 companies employing more than 7,000 people.

Through the Andrews Labor Government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund, we’re supporting defence technologies into the future and creating more skilled jobs.

The Aerospace & Defence Exposition runs for three trade-only days from Tuesday, 28 February.

The Airshow opens to the general public from 2.00pm on Friday, 3 March.