Adelaide Airport has welcomed back Cathay Pacific for the first time in more than five years, reconnecting South Australia with Hong Kong and a world of travel and trade opportunities. The airline’s return marks the full restoration of all international routes that operated into Adelaide before the pandemic — a milestone moment for the state’s tourism and aviation sectors.
The reinstated service will operate seasonally through to 27 March 2026, with three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays aboard an Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The return of Cathay Pacific will open South Australia back up to key global markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, providing a welcome boost to tourism and freight exports.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the resumption of Cathay Pacific flights had been a key priority for the State Government and represented another major step in strengthening South Australia’s international connections. “Reinstating Cathay Pacific flights direct from Hong Kong to Adelaide has been a key priority for the State Government and marks a significant milestone for South Australia’s tourism industry,” Ms Bettison said. “The Cathay Pacific service connects our state with key international visitor markets, making it even easier for not just our growing Asian market, but also Europe and North American travellers. All international carriers flying into Adelaide prior to the pandemic are now back, further driving South Australia’s economic growth — boosting our tourism and freight exports.”
Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs said the new service would provide significant economic benefits. “It’s exciting to see Cathay Pacific back on the ground in Adelaide for the first time in more than five years,” Mr Szakacs said. “Our Government has worked closely with Cathay Pacific to re-establish this direct route that will help drive economic benefit for South Australia through trade and tourism. With a 15-tonne cargo hold on the A350, up to 45 tonnes of South Australian products will be able to be transported in the belly of the plane each week while flights run.”
Cathay Pacific’s Regional General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania, Frosti Lau, said the airline was delighted to be returning to Adelaide — a city that has long held special significance for the company. “Adelaide holds a special place for us at Cathay, from our flights dating back to 1992 to our cadet pilot training program at Flight Training Adelaide with over 30 years of graduates,” he said. “The relaunch of our Adelaide seasonal service sees Cathay Pacific reinstate all its pre-pandemic Australian routes, connecting South Australians to over 100 destinations around the world. With strong connections to the Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia and Europe via Hong Kong, our seasonal summer service will give locals the opportunity to reconnect with family, see the world and travel for business.”
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said Cathay Pacific’s return was a sign of growing global confidence in the South Australian market. “We’re excited to welcome Cathay Pacific back to Adelaide,” he said. “The airline first started flying to Adelaide in 1992 and it has been one of our enduring international partnerships. South Australians will again be part of their extensive global network with a non-stop service to Hong Kong and excellent connections to Asian and European destinations.”
The return of Cathay Pacific comes as South Australia enjoys an aviation revival, with Air New Zealand recently connecting Adelaide and Christchurch for the first time, China Eastern announcing direct Shanghai services from July, and United Airlines soon to begin flights to San Francisco — the state’s first-ever direct connection to the United States. Together, these new and returning routes mean South Australia is now more globally connected than ever before.
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