Adelaide Airport Expands Global Reach with Record Growth

Adelaide Airport has achieved another milestone year, with total passenger numbers surpassing 9.1 million (excluding transits) in FY26, up 4.8 per cent on the previous year.

Adelaide Airport welcomed a record 13 international airlines serving 12 destinations and handling a peak of 73 international flights each week during the summer season. Through a strong partnership with the South Australian Government, Adelaide Airport welcomed its first-ever non-stop service to the United States with United Airlines, new seasonal services to Shanghai with China Eastern and Christchurch with Air New Zealand, the return of international Qantas services through the introduction of flights to Auckland, and the reinstatement of Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong service. China Southern also expanded its Guangzhou service from a seasonal operation to a year-round service.

Emirates selected Adelaide as the launch destination for its A350 aircraft equipped with Premium Economy, while Malaysia Airlines introduced its new A330neo fleet and increased services to daily operations. The benefits of greater international connectivity extended well beyond passenger travel, helping drive a 37 per cent increase in air freight export volumes and an 11 per cent increase in export value. The United States, China and the United Kingdom remained South Australia’s largest air freight export markets by value.

Momentum is continuing into FY27. Singapore Airlines has confirmed an increase from 10 to 12 weekly year-round services from October 2026, China Southern will expand to daily services during peak travel periods, and Cathay Pacific will operate supplementary flights, providing up to five weekly services during the Northern Winter season.

Domestic travel also delivered solid growth of 2.8 per cent, supported by strong leisure demand and major events including LIV Golf, AFL Gather Round, Adelaide Fringe and the Adelaide Festival. Jetstar added significant new capacity, QantasLink introduced its Airbus A220 to South Australia, and Virgin Australia reinstated seasonal services to Hobart and Launceston.

Looking ahead, Adelaide Airport’s Network Vision 2050 remains focused on restoring services to Vietnam while pursuing new opportunities in India, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand, further strengthening South Australia’s connectivity to the world.