Qatar Airways is expanding its Australian flight schedule, launching a new route from Adelaide to Auckland, effective from 12 April, as New Zealand reopens its international borders to travellers from Australia.
Operated by a B777-300ER the new Qatar Airways route is an extension of the current service between Doha and Adelaide.
The flight from Doha to Adelaide and onwards to Auckland is scheduled to be operated three times per week. With the addition of this new route, the carrier will operate 34 weekly flights to Australia.
“The Australia and New Zealand region continues to be an area of strong growth for Qatar Airways, and launching this service will support the development of the economy and tourism sector in both countries,” said Jared Lee, Qatar Airways Vice President of Sales for Southeast Asia, Southwest Pacific & Indian Subcontinent.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said it was exciting for South Australian travellers to be among the very first to land in Auckland when the borders re-opened on Tuesday night.
“It’s wonderful that Qatar Airways has tagged its Doha-Auckland service through Adelaide, which means with the New Zealand border re-opening, travellers can immediately fly direct between Adelaide and Auckland.
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison also welcomed the first Qatar flight from Auckland, saying it signalled a much-longed return to two-way travel with New Zealand.
“I know the South Australian Tourism Commission has been very active in this space all the way through the pandemic, making sure South Australia remains top of mind for Kiwis wanting a holiday,” she said.
“Pre-COVID, a record 43,000 trips were made by Kiwis – now we can welcome more of our friends from across the ditch, tempt them with our great wineries, vast outback, the beaches and the Murray River, and look forward to showing them around more of SA than ever.
“It is terrific that we will see New Zealanders be able to reconnect with friends and family, as well as open up business travel and leisure visitors, who are keen to have a much-deserved holiday.”
Flight schedule starting 12 April:
| Route | Flight | Aircraft* | Dep* | Arr* | Frequency |
| Adelaide – Auckland | QR914 | B777-300ER | 22:25 | 05:05 | Tue, Thu, Sat |
| Auckland – Adelaide | QR915 | B777-300ER | 18:25 | 20:50 | Wed, Fri, Sun |
*All times local. Schedules and aircraft types are subject to change due to operational reasons.
Qatar Airways has maintained its Australian routes throughout the pandemic, whilst launching services to Brisbane to provide essential global connectivity.
It has carried over 330,000 passengers in and out of Australia since March 2020 via both commercial flights and special chartered services.
Earlier this year, Qatar Airways doubled its Brisbane service, now operating seven flights per week, as well as expanding its Perth service to include daily flights to and from Doha.
For more information head to www.qatarairways.com