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China Southern Airlines has returned to Adelaide for the first time since March 2020.
The airline, one of China’s “big four”, touched down in Adelaide shortly before 10am on Thursday morning with flight CZ663 from Guangzhou aboard the 787-8 Dreamliner B-2726.
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The seasonal service, currently the only non-stop link from Adelaide to mainland China, will operate three times per week and comes after the carrier’s return to Perth in November.
The state government and Adelaide Airport say they are in discussions with China Southern to extend the service beyond the beginning of March.
“China is such an important market for us and welcoming back China Southern is a huge boost for the South Australian economy,” Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said.
“It also reconnects families and stimulates vital tourism and trade between our two countries. It is an essential link in our network vision that will grow our state’s economy.
“The return of China Southern is also a significant stimulus for our exporters at a time when trade restrictions between China and Australia on products such as beef and lobsters have recently been lifted.
“The widebody Dreamliner can carry South Australian products to one of China’s largest cities, and in turn provide easier one-stop access to markets throughout China.”
SA Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the flights will “further grow tourism and trade opportunities with China”.
“International tourism is currently worth $1.3 billion. To further grow this, we’re bolstering our marketing efforts in China, working in partnership with China Southern Airlines, Tourism Australia and other key partners to showcase the very best of South Australia.
“To welcome back our second major international airline in less than two months is a clear sign South Australia is open for business and tourists, with these direct flights set to drive international visitation while reducing cost and travel time.”
The state’s Trade and Investment Minister, Joe Szakacs, also noted that the flights will give exporters up to 45 tonnes of cargo space to mainland China per week.
“China is South Australia’s largest two-way trading partner, and our Government values this important partnership and will continue to deepen engagement to deliver future opportunities that benefit the state,” Minister Szakacs said.
“Our exports to China have never been higher, worth $4.43 billion to the state’s economy over the past year, and this direct route provides another opportunity for our exporters to enter market cheaper, quicker and more efficiently.”
China Southern is now Adelaide’s ninth international carrier after Emirates returned to the city at the end of October, with the airport also currently served by Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Jetstar, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Vietjet.
Qantas has yet to resume international operations from Adelaide, with federal Transport Minister Catherine King earlier this month joining the push for the Flying Kangaroo to bring international flights back to the SA capital.
