Qantas has confirmed it will resume international operations from Adelaide for the first time since 2013, launching a seasonal service to Auckland beginning October 31.
The service, which will run until May 3 next year, marks a long-awaited return of the airline to overseas routes from the South Australian capital. While the announcement has generated interest from both tourism authorities and government officials, Qantas has so far revealed few additional details about the long-term strategy behind the move.
According to Sky News Australia, this new route will offer South Australians renewed access to international travel after more than a decade of absence.
Adelaide to Auckland Flights Return After Decade-Long Gap
The last time Qantas operated an international flight from Adelaide was in 2013, when it discontinued its Singapore service.
The new Adelaide–Auckland route will be operated using Boeing 737 aircraft and is scheduled to run four times per week until early May. The airline will compete directly with Air New Zealand, which already offers flights on the same route.
Qantas stated the new route also provides a one-stop connection to New York City through its Auckland–New York service, expanding access to the United States for South Australian travelers.
Official Response and Long-Term Expectations
Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the announcement as a significant development for South Australia’s global connectivity:
It is great news that Qantas is re-establishing a direct international flight out of Adelaide with this new service to Auckland – Mr Malinauskas said.
There is no better friend to Australia than New Zealand – and this connection is only set to bring us even closer.It also connects South Australians through to New York City with a single stop, strengthening our bond with a key economic and AUKUS partner.
We hope that this marks the beginning of a long-term commitment by Qantas to grow their international services out of Adelaide.
New Zealand’s Growing Tourism Role in South Australia
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison highlighted the significance of New Zealand as a source of tourism for the state:
New Zealand is presently the equal second biggest source market for visitation to South Australia – behind only the UK and equal with China – she said.
Tourism expenditure from New Zealand grew by 29 per cent in the last year, with 48,000 visitors coming to South Australia in 2024.
We invite our friends across the ditch to come and experience the simple pleasures of South Australia – to taste our premium food and wine, experience our natural beauty, and enjoy a plethora of events and festivals across the calendar.
Broader International Expansion by Qantas and Partners
The Auckland route is part of a broader expansion of seasonal services by Qantas. The airline recently announced flights between Perth and Auckland beginning December 8, to operate three times per week using Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Separately, United Airlines is scheduled to begin seasonal San Francisco–Adelaide flights on December 11, adding a direct connection to the United States’ West Coast.
While Qantas has been absent from Adelaide’s international terminal for over a decade, several international airlines currently operate out of the city. These include Fiji Airways, Emirates, China Southern, Jetstar, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand.
