Cathay Pacific to Resume Direct Flights to Adelaide

Cathay Pacific is set to resume direct flights to Adelaide, re-establishing links between South Australia and Asia, with the service expected to deliver an annual economic boost of $32 million (US$20.5 million) to the state.

Adelaide will be Cathay Pacific’s eighth Southwest Pacific destination, joining year-round flights from Hong Kong to Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, along with winter seasonal services to Cairns and Christchurch.

“We first launched passenger flights to the South Australian capital in 1992, and then two years later our first batch of cadet pilots arrived in the city to complete their flight training, marking the start of our more than three-decade collaboration with Flight Training Adelaide,” said Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of Cathay Pacific.

Cathay Pacific stopped its Hong Kong–Adelaide service in March 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.

From Nov. 11, 2025, Cathay Pacific will reintroduce the direct flights three times a week on a 280-seat A350-900 aircraft, debuting premium economy on the route.

The flights will run seasonally until March 27, 2026, with departures from Adelaide on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The return of Cathay Pacific’s flights is projected to contribute approximately $17 million annually in tourism expenditure, with freight exports valued at $15 million.

Visitors from Hong Kong typically spend an average of 11 nights in Australia, which is almost twice the average duration of stay for all international visitors.

Through the South Australian Tourism Commission, the state government partnered with Adelaide Airport to reinstate direct Cathay Pacific flights to its capital city.

The news comes after United Airlines’ announcement last month that it will begin direct services between Adelaide and San Francisco in December 2025, establishing the first direct connection between South Australia and the United States.

“Our state is being seen as a place to invest in, and Cathay Pacific is the latest global business to recognise this. The suite of international airlines set to fly directly into Adelaide is no coincidence, it is the result of constant hard work as well as developing a destination worth investing in,” said South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison said the flights will make South Australia more attractive for the state’s key Asian international market, promoting its nature and food and beverage.

Brenton Cox, managing director at Adelaide Airport, said its partnership with Cathay Pacific has been one of its most enduring and valued international relationships.

“We also anticipate solid inbound passenger numbers on the back of our growing tourism market and strong international education opportunities,” he said.

Beyond passenger services, Cathay Pacific’s Adelaide flights will increase cargo options by offering aircraft belly capacity, complementing two weekly Cathay Cargo freighter flights to the Southwest Pacific during the winter season.

“We will be complementing this with our world-leading cargo capabilities which will spearhead delivery of local produce and products into Asia, Europe and the Middle East,” said Frosti Lau, Regional General Manager at Cathay Pacific.

“In restarting this service, Cathay Pacific will offer close to 90 return flights per week between Hong Kong and eight destinations across Australia and New Zealand this summer, bringing back all pre-pandemic routes to the region.”