Currently, AirAsia’s Melbourne base is at Melbourne Airport, better known as Tullamarine Airport.

“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 Group CEO Tony Fernandes said in a statement posted on the company’s Twitter page.

Fernandes also thanked Avalon Airport for its support.

Linfox Airports executive chairman David Fox said it was the formation of a new partnership.

“We anticipate around half a million international passengers will use Avalon Airport in the first year of operations.”

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said the airline was proud to be the first airline to operate international flights at Avalon Airport, connecting Melbourne and the Victorian region with Kuala Lumpur.

“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,” he said.

The announcement was made at an industry event at Avalon Airport.

Avalon Airport is 50 minutes by road from the Melbourne City Centre and is also the closest international airport to the Great Ocean Road.