Airports
Melbourne Airport, located in the north-western suburb of Tullamarine, is the nation's second busiest airport. Over 30 airlines and 22 million international and domestic passengers are served and service there each year. The airport is a hub for passenger airlines Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Tiger Airways Australia and Virgin Australia; and cargo airlines Australian air Express and Toll Priority.
Melbourne's second major passenger airport, Avalon Airport (Melbourne Avalon), is south-west of Melbourne, and north-east of Geelong. Avalon Airport is primarily used by Jetstar and operates flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. AirAsia X was expected to commence flights from Avalon to Kuala Lumpur in October 2009, providing a low-cost service. This provides Melbourne with a second international airport, unique among all capital cities in Australia.
Melbourne's first major airport, Essendon Airport, is no longer used for scheduled international flights. Although a small number of regional airline flights operate from there it caters mainly to general aviation. The airport is also home to the state's Air Ambulance service.
Moorabbin Airport is located to the south of Melbourne, and is primarily used for recreational flying and for flying lessons. Moorabbin is also used for a small number of regional airline services, most notably to King Island, Tasmania. Moorabbin is a GAAP airport and its code is YMMB.
Airbase RAAF Point Cook, where the Royal Australian Air Force originated, is located near the city's south-western limits.
Read more about this topic: Transport In Melbourne