Cathay Pacific is setting its sights on Adelaide once more, confirming a direct return flight from Hong Kong starting 11 November 2025. It’s a comeback flight path that hasn’t been seen since early 2020, and it comes with new perks: the wide-bodied A350-900 aircraft and Premium Economy seating for the first time on this route. For South Australians, this means more travel options, stronger trade ties, and an expected injection of tens of millions of dollars into the State’s economy.
Three flights a week—on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—will connect South Australia directly to Hong Kong until the seasonal service concludes on 27 March 2026. While the route resumes for now on a temporary basis, the financial boost it brings is expected to be anything but short-term. Tourism expenditure tied to the flights is forecasted to generate $17 million annually, while freight exports are projected to contribute another $15 million. It’s a tidy $32 million package for South Australia each year, built on the wings of tourism and trade.
The resumption also ticks the final box in the re-establishment of all international routes that operated out of Adelaide prior to the pandemic. Cathay Pacific’s decision reflects growing confidence in the State’s position as a global player—both for travellers and exporters. The airline’s vast international reach spans Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. For many, this network is a key drawcard.
Adelaide’s connection to Hong Kong is a historic one. Cathay Pacific first launched flights to the city in 1992 and maintained service until March 2020 when global aviation ground to a halt. For more than three decades, Cathay has played a role in linking South Australia to one of the world’s most dynamic trading hubs.
South Australia’s visitor economy has already seen a significant uptick thanks to the Asian market. In the 12 months leading to December 2024, visitors from the region contributed $783 million and stayed for over 8.3 million bed nights. Hong Kong tourists stand out in particular—they spend, on average, 11 nights in Australia, almost double the length of stay of other international visitors. That’s a solid figure for accommodation providers, local tours, and food and beverage businesses across the State.
For exporters, the freight potential is just as exciting. Hong Kong-bound flights will be backed by Cathay Pacific’s well-regarded cargo capabilities. South Australia’s wine, seafood, and high-tech products have found eager consumers in Hong Kong for years. With direct flights resuming, producers will enjoy faster delivery times and improved logistics, making it easier to maintain freshness, meet demand, and explore new commercial possibilities.
The move has received support from government and industry leaders alike. Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed Cathay Pacific’s return, highlighting the economic value and positioning it as further proof of the State’s growing international credibility. Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison called it a milestone moment that places South Australia in front of new visitor markets, at a time when international tourism continues to bounce back. Trade Minister Joe Szakacs noted the strategic benefits of improved air freight options, particularly when export figures to Hong Kong have already surpassed $260 million over the past year.
For Adelaide Airport, the Cathay Pacific announcement is another key win. Brenton Cox, the airport’s Managing Director, noted the airline’s long-standing partnership with the city and pointed to the importance of connections to Asia and Europe via Hong Kong. He’s banking on not only outbound traffic but a healthy number of inbound tourists and international students to fill seats.
Cathay Pacific’s Regional General Manager for the South West Pacific, Frosti Lau, underlined the company’s history with Adelaide, including its ties to Flight Training Adelaide, which has trained generations of cadet pilots. This return is more than a nostalgic nod—it’s a calculated decision grounded in the city’s growing global profile.
The broader picture also deserves attention. In just the past few months, Adelaide has attracted several major international airlines, completing the post-COVID recovery of its overseas air routes. The list reads like a who’s who of international carriers. United Airlines is set to launch its direct Adelaide–San Francisco route in December 2025—the first ever non-stop flight linking South Australia with the United States. Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, and others have all resumed or announced services, reinforcing Adelaide’s standing as a viable and attractive international hub.
It hasn’t been an easy climb back. Restoring international connectivity has involved years of effort between the South Australian Tourism Commission, Adelaide Airport, and global carriers. That work is beginning to pay off. With each new route, the State gains access to more visitors, more trade opportunities, and more exposure on the global stage.
Beyond the economic numbers, the return of Cathay Pacific and the restoration of these routes have a tangible impact on people’s lives. Families reunited, students heading to universities, businesses reaching new markets, tourists discovering new places, and locals booking long-awaited holidays—all of these hinge on strong, consistent flight options. These direct routes don’t just move people and cargo; they support experiences, relationships, and ambitions.
For South Australian businesses, especially those in tourism, hospitality, and export sectors, this announcement is another green light. It gives them confidence to invest, plan ahead, and expand. When an airline with the reach and reputation of Cathay Pacific puts Adelaide back on its route map, it sends a message to the world about the city’s relevance and reliability.
The return flight from Hong Kong is not merely a service; it is a signpost. It shows how far Adelaide has come since the uncertainty of early 2020 and signals a future that’s looking up. The aircraft may only touch down three times a week for now, but the momentum it brings lands every day.
For many, the resumption marks something personal. Frequent flyers from Adelaide who’ve long relied on Hong Kong as a gateway to the wider world will be watching the departure board with anticipation come November. For first-time travellers, it opens up a new corridor of possibility—whether it’s for business, study, holiday, or a bit of everything.
South Australia is gradually finding itself on more boarding passes, and for Cathay Pacific, the route back to Adelaide is clear.
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