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Qantas Group has announced it has signed on as the official airline partner for the Avalon Australian International Airshow 2027.
Organised by the AMDA Foundation, Avalon Airshow is by far Australia’s largest air show and aerospace trade event and is run in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force and Victorian state government. Earlier this year, the 2027 event dates were firmed up, with Avalon due to take off from 23–28 February 2027.
Last year, Avalon saw more than 900 companies attend and participate, as well as 291 official delegations from 43 countries.
The first-of-its-kind airline partnership with Qantas reflects the air show’s blooming international profile, according to AMDA Foundation CEO Justin Giddings, who said he was “thrilled” to be partnering with the Flying Kangaroo for the event.
“There are five major airshows recognised globally – Singapore, Dubai, Paris, London and Avalon. Our international counterparts showcase their major commercial airlines at these events, so we are excited to bring that same sense of national aviation pride to Avalon with Qantas,” Giddings said.
“Avalon places Australia on the world stage. It showcases not only aviation and defence capability, but the broader air travel industry, innovation, careers and the people who make this sector so exciting. Having Qantas Group as a partner for the 2027 show further builds Avalon’s credibility, reach and visitor experience.”
Giddings explained that for the visiting public, the new partnership with Qantas will result in “an array of new experiences” at the air show, including aircraft displays, flying displays, promotional campaigns and careers engagement. For delegates, travel offers, hosted delegation support and merchandise could be on offer.
Meanwhile, Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson called the agreement a “natural alignment”, with the airline looking forward to being part of one of “Australia’s most significant aviation events”.
“The Avalon Airshow has become one of the leading aviation events in the world, and we’re proud to be joining as Official Airline Partner,” he said.
“Australia has a long history of innovation in aviation which is shaped by the distances we fly. The air show celebrates the capability of our industry and the people behind it, and we’re looking forward to celebrating that in 2027.”
According to the Victorian government, the Avalon Airshow 2025 generated $240.9 million for the state’s economy while attracting “record crowds” of more than 200,000 people.
This included an estimated $31.85 million in direct economic benefits for the Geelong region, said Victorian Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks.
“The Avalon Airshow continues to open doors for Victorian businesses, creating jobs and showcasing the cutting-edge innovation happening right here in our state,” he said.
“Securing the 2027 event reinforces Victoria’s position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and defence industries.”
The 2027 show will “further strengthen the Avalon Airport Industrial Precinct as a major regional economic hub”, the government said.
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