AUSTRALIA | Qantas has announced new direct flights connecting Auckland with Adelaide, adding an additional 30,000 seats across the Tasman.
Kiwis looking to travel to South Australia now have more choice with Qantas announcing a new seasonal route that will add more than 30,000 seats between Auckland and Adelaide. Flights will be four times a week, starting from 26 Oct and running until 3 May.
With 58 percent of Kiwi travellers looking for new destinations to discover, and an increasing number of Kiwis exploring South Australia, the new flights support the potential for more New Zealanders to experience all the region has to offer.
“Direct flights between Auckland and Adelaide are back on the Qantas international network for the first time in 20 years, and we couldn’t be more excited. This is the second new international service we’ve announced from Auckland this month as we continue to grow our network and respond to strong demand from Kiwis keen to explore more of Australia,” said Qantas Group CEO Qantas International Cam Wallace.
“Our new international flights will give both business and leisure travellers more choice when flying to South Australia and opens up more inbound tourism opportunities with connections for customers to Auckland throughout New Zealand through our Jetstar domestic network.”
Minister for South Australia Tourism and Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison MP said this was an exciting opportunity to showcase South Australia.
“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.”
Regional Manager, New Zealand, for the South Australia Tourism Commission, Stacey Kerr, welcomed the announcement and said the new service reflects growing demand from Kiwi travellers eager to explore beyond traditional eastern gateways.
“New Zealand is the equal second largest international market for South Australia – tied with China and just behind the UK. In 2024, we welcomed 48,000 visitors from New Zealand, with tourism spend up 29 percent. Kiwis are staying longer too, with the average trip length rising 56 percent to 11 nights,” said Kerr.
“We’re seeing increasing interest in off-the-beaten-track regions like the Flinders Ranges and Eyre Peninsula. The added convenience of new direct flights makes Adelaide and South Australia even more appealing for Kiwis looking for a ‘something different’ holiday.”
Qantas is also opening the doors to its first Business Lounge in Adelaide. The new lounge celebrates the best of South Australia, featuring a market kitchen, inspired by the Adelaide Central Market, serving up dishes created by Qantas Director of Food, Beverage and Service, Neil Perry and lighter snack options by Maggie Beer. The lounge also aims to capture the essence of South Australia, taking inspiration from three iconic locations: the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Central Markets and Kangaroo Island’s Flinders Chase National Park.
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