Adelaide Airport has confirmed speculations that China Southern is planning on operating the South Australian city’s first direct flights to mainland China.
According to the gateway, a deal was signed between with the airline last month for three weekly Adelaide-Guangzhou flights commencing from 12 December this year.
The new route will operate during the summer peak period to 0ffer 1,300 seats each week on the carrier’s A330-200 aircraft offering four classes – Economy, Economy-Plus, Business and First Class.
Adelaide Airport MD, Mark Young, and Director General of Commercial Steering Committee of China Southern Airlines, Guo Jianye.
Mark Young, Adelaide Airport’s Managing Director, expects the new service to create “significant inbound and outbound tourism opportunities” for the city, while also acting as opening export links into China’s port city.
“We’re aware that there is strong demand from Chinese visitors for experiences that Adelaide and South Australia have to offer including our world class wine and seafood, and natural experiences such as Kangaroo Island.”
Mark Young, Adelaide Airport Managing Director
“The service will also connect the significant number of friends and families who live in the two regions.”
Services from Guangzhou on CZ663 will depart at 10.00pm on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday and arrive in Adelaide at 9.30am the following day.
Services from Adelaide on CZ664 will depart at 11.00am on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, arriving in Guangzhou at 5.40pm on the same day.
Travel to and from Adelaide has opened up over the last few months, with new international and domestic services including Qatar’s direct to Doha flights, which launched in May, as well as Jetstar’s first services from the city to the Sunshine Coast.