For Adelaide Airport in particular, it’s been a jam-packed couple of months, with the introduction of new international routes and even the return of Cathay Pacific.
“South Australia’s record-breaking cruise season and expanded airline routes are strengthening Adelaide’s global profile, making it easier than ever for international visitors to experience the rich flavours, natural beauty, and genuine hospitality that make our state so memorable,” South Australia’s minister for tourism, Zoe Bettison told travel Bulletin.
Recently announced connections to Adelaide include San Francisco with United Airlines, Auckland via Qantas, Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, as well as Christchurch with Air New Zealand.
Now, Adelaide Airport CEO Brenton Cox is hoping to eventually see direct flights from Adelaide to cities like Ho Chi Minh City, New Delhi, Tokyo and Manila, among others.
“That’s not to be exclusive, because there are plenty of other places that would also make sense, but those [ports] have large amounts of indirect flow right now and their points-of-sale are very balanced and the reasons for travel are really balanced,” Cox told travelBulletin.
While the Adelaide Airport exec conceded those route opportunities “won’t be coming out tomorrow or the next day”, he suggested that over the coming years, they would be logical additions to the network.
It’s clear that more international airlines are starting to take notice of the opportunities that lie in Adelaide’s under-served market. At the moment, more than 40% of South Australians need to transit through a domestic city when travelling overseas.
“That’s a pre-existing significant market,” pointed out Cox.
“That also means that we haven’t been stimulated. There’s a lot of inbound potential growth that is relatively safe to expect from our market because we’ve always had these big indirect flows, and once those connections are made, it is relatively safe to assume there will be some good market stimulation.”
“Airlines have seen that and jumped on board.”
Adelaide Airport has also seen a significant increase in passenger movement this year, with the latest figures for Feb showing a 17% increase inbound (37,176 to 43,742), as well as a 19.9% spike in outbound (29,696 to 35,612).
Singapore, Denpasar and Doha were the top three direct international connections to Adelaide in Feb, while Dubai shot up to fifth after Emirates restarted direct service late last year with a Boeing 777-200.
Adelaide Airport is also pouring more than $1 billion in capital investment to upgrades the hub through to 2028. These include projects to expand capacity and improve the passenger experience.
“There’s an increased recognition of what Adelaide and SA have to offer. We have a government and businesses that are prepared to back a vision, be bold and I think airlines have seen that and been prepared to invest in that as well,” Cox said.
“The confluence of all of these things means this is a globally competitive environment.”
South Australia on the seas
Across the seas, cruise has also been high on South Australia’s tourism agenda in the past year, off the back of injecting a record $227 million into the state’s economy during its 2023-2024 season.
The 2024-25 cruise season is scheduled to welcome a total of 21 first-time voyages, including visits to destinations including Cape Donington and Flinders Island in the Eyre Peninsula, American River in Kangaroo Island, and Robe in the Limestone Coast.
“We are investing in our cruise industry – which injected a record $227 million for our State’s visitor economy in the 2023-24 season – as we are a destination that offers the best of the country in one place, which is exactly what cruise lines and passengers are looking for,” South Australian Tourism Commission CEO Emma Terry said.
“From being up close to an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat, to tasting some of the world’s best food and drink in our renowned wine regions, to exploring Adelaide, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, we are the cruise destination for everyone.”
In April, the state announced a new partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), with SATC coming on board as an Executive Partner in Australasia.
It followed the establishment of the state’s Cruise Attraction Working Group, which was formed to grow tourism in the state and expand the ships visiting Adelaide and surrounding regions. Members include representatives from SATC, Flinders Ports, Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and key industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Bettison is keen to support the cruise industry by growing the global community’s awareness of South Australia’s diverse regions, from world-class wine country to outback and coastal destinations.
“Adelaide’s evolution as a global city is well underway, and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to our vibrant and welcoming home so that they can celebrate the simple pleasures here in South Australia,” said Bettison.
