Cathay Pacific resumes flights to Adelaide, completing full recovery of international routes

Cathay Pacific is the latest international airline to resume flights into Adelaide, completing the return of all international routes that were cancelled during the pandemic.

The Hong Kong-headquartered airline plans to introduce a direct flight from Hong Kong to Adelaide from 11 November 2025, offering three direct flights a week aboard an A350-900 aircraft with capacity for 280 passengers.

The flights will operate on a seasonal basis until 27 March 2026, flying out of Adelaide on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The South Australian Government says the flights are expected to generate $17 million a year in tourism expenditure for the state’s economy, with the value of freight exports estimated to be $15 million per year.

Cathay Pacific last offered a service between Hong Kong and Adelaide in March 2020.

The airline’s return follows a wave of international carriers resuming flights into the city, as well as new players introducing new routes.

In April, United Airlines announced its first-ever direct flights between Adelaide and the US to begin at the end of this year, while in February Emirates announced plans to resume a daily service to Dubai after a four-year absence.

The carriers join Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Air New Zealand and a host of Chinese airlines that have targeted Adelaide as a key Australian route.

“Our state is being seen as a place to invest in, and Cathay Pacific is the latest global business to recognise this,” says SA Premier Peter Malinauskas.

“Delivering a boon for tourism and trade, the reinstated route is estimated to generate $32 million for South Australia each year, driving appeal to both work and travel in our great state.

“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.”

Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox says Cathay Pacific first started flying to Adelaide in 1992, adding that “it has been one of our more enduring international partnerships for many years”.

“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,” he says.

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

SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison points out that Cathay Pacific’s return to Adelaide is a “huge milestone” for the state’s tourism industry, as it marks the return of all international routes flying into Adelaide before the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Cathay Pacific’s direct flights into Adelaide will make South Australia even more attractive for our key Asian international market, while promoting the simple pleasures of our pristine nature, renowned food and beverage and non-stop events calendar to its loyal flyers,” she says.