Adelaide International Airport (ADL) has seen increased demand for travelers looking to head down under, with announcements this week for increased services and the resumption of flights to Tasmania and Bali.
Reconnecting to Bali
Adelaide Airport is celebrating the resumption of Virgin Australia’s (VA) service to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), recommencing mid-December. The airline will operate to Indonesia daily through to January before reducing to a thrice-weekly service. Virgin also plans to reconnect Adelaide with Tasmania with the return of direct flights to Hobart International Airport (HBA) and Launceston Airport (LST), operating three times a week from December.
Qatar, Malaysia and Singapore are increasing their offering.
Intentional carriers are also increasing their presence in Adelaide. Qatar Airways (QR) will increase to a daily service from January 22nd. The airline currently operates the flight with its Boeing 777-330ER and continues onto Auckland, New Zealand. Malaysia Airlines (MH) will also boost its connection to Adelaide, increasing by the end of November to five times a week. The seven-hour and 30-minute hop are operated onboard its Airbus A330-300.
Singapore Airlines remains loyal to South Australia, with a substantial increase to a ten-weekly service from January 2nd, in line with the expected increase in demand for the Santos Tour Down Under cycling event. Singapore connects the two cities with its Airbus A350-900. Zoe Bettison, the Minister for Tourism South Australia, is delighted with the news, commenting:
“With Qatar soon flying daily, and both Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines ramping up their schedules, it means even greater access to markets across Europe, New Zealand, and Asia – including markets like the UK and Singapore worth $72 million and $97 million respectively to our state.’
“Greater connectivity is crucial as we work to reclaim our state’s $1.2 billion international market, so it is tremendous to have such strong growth in international airline seats into Adelaide.”
Room for improvement
However, there is still room for improvement in Adelaide, with the airport currently only sitting at 65% of pre-pandemic international services. With the announcements made above, this will lift the South Australian airport to 90% of its global connectivity before the pandemic. Domestic has rebounded strongly, with the airport currently operating at 105%.
Qantas remains the largest carrier at the airport, offering the most connections, operating to Alice Springs, Albury, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hobart, Kingscote, Melbourne, Mount Gambier, Newcastle, Perth, Port Lincoln, Townsville, Sydney, and Whyalla.
Spotlight on Adelaide this week
Adelaide will relish spotlighting the South Australian Airport as the Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Conference kicks off this week. More than 750 delegates have descended on the city to discuss opportunities in the sector, including sustainability and technology. The 2022 expo brings together many of the nation’s airport chiefs and executives.
More shopping and a Big Mac
In 2018, the airport announced an AU$165 million ($110 million) dollar renovation to increase the retail footprint of the airport by 80%, with a final piece of the renovation being the airport’s newest tenant. McDonald’s opened at the airport on November 4th, a welcome surprise for those looking for a bite to eat before take-off. A video released in 2018 highlights the airport’s expansion project.
Source: simpleflying.com