Q&A
FLYiNG HiGH 1. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKING DAY.
There is no typical day being CEO of Avalon Airport. The operational aspects of the airport are managed by the management team and therefore I have little input into the day-to-day airport operations. Therefore my day normally consists of ensuring managers have the tools to do their job and also meet with prospective customers of the airport and also monitor the process of the airport. Normally I have three to four set meetings per day with people outside the company. I am in Melbourne a couple of days a week meeting with either government departments or shareholders. This year I have been overseas six times and interstate many more. 2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT SKILLS DID IT GIVE YOU TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? My first job was as a trade assistant at a company call ASTAAS at Avalon Airport. This job provided me with the understanding of how a manager should treat his team. During my time there I was fortunate to work under many great leaders but also was subjected to working with some poor leaders. The difference in my performance was impacted by the leadership style of those leaders. 3. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER SUCCESS TO DATE? I think seeing he continued transformation of Avalon Airport from a small regional airport to an airport recognised by all levels of government as being the next international airport is pleasing, however, hopefully my greatest achievement is yet to come when we commence international operations. 4. AVALON AIRPORT NEIGHBOURS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN AUSTRALIA – WYNDHAM. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AVALON AIRPORT FACES TO ACCOMMODATE THIS GROWTH? We view the growth of the Wyndham area as a huge positive for Avalon Airport. The growth of Wyndham will provide greater demand for addition aircraft services. My role is to ensure that airlines are aware of this growth and our facilities are able to accommodate this growth.
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BUSiNESS WEST
5. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY AGREED TO ALLOW AVALON AIRPORT TO BUILD A NEW INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AND BECOME VICTORIA’S SECOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. HOW SOON WILL THIS COME INTO OPERATION?
At this stage we plan to focus on securing an international airline before we construct the terminal. This is because the airline which we secure will have unique requirements for the terminal building. It is then hoped, after securing the airline and constructing the terminal, that the terminal will be extended by stages to accommodate further growth. 6. LAST YEAR AVALON AIRPORT BECAME THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN AIRPORT TO RELEASE AN IPHONE APP THAT INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, UPDATED JETSTAR DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS, MAPS OF THE AVALON ACCESS FROM VICTORIAN LOCATIONS, AND A PLAN OF THE TERMINAL. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA – ARE THEY EFFECTIVE TOOLS FOR BUSINESSES LIKE AVALON? Yes, they have been very effective. We were the first airport to have an iPhone app and now many other airports have followed. Avalon Airport is a new airport and therefore many people have not been to the airport before. So the more information we provide about getting to and from Avalon Airport, its flights, and its facilities available, makes these people more comfortable about using Avalon Airport for the first time. 7. IF YOU COULD JUMP ON A PLANE RIGHT NOW TO YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION, WHERE WOULD IT BE, AND WHY? Firstly, my dream holiday would include departing from Avalon Airport, parking in the low cost convenient car park, checking in without queues and boarding the plane without delays. I think if we could achieve this out of Melbourne it would be a first and it would make my holiday a dream regardless of what destination.
JUSTIN GIDDINGS became CEO of Avalon Airport in December 2008. Previously Justin was the Commercial and Operations Manager at Essendon Airport for seven years. During his tenure he has negotiated with Tiger Airways to commence domestic operations, successfully resigned a new International Airshow agreement and is continuing to pursue international endeavours. Justin is a fully qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, has a Diploma of Management, a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics and Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration. 8. IF YOU HAD TO INVITE FIVE PEOPLE TO A BUSINESS LUNCHEON, WHO WOULD IT BE? ■ Jeff Kennett ■ Viv Richards ■ Lindsay Fox ■ Stephen Silvagni ■ Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou 9. WHAT ARE THREE QUALITIES EVERY BUSINESS OWNER NEEDS? ■ Vision ■ Access to capital ■ A good CEO 10. HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I enjoy going to watch my beloved Blues, although recently it hasn’t been that relaxing! I also enjoy test cricket and of course I have a wife and two young boys who always ensure my feet are planted firmly on the ground.