Tickets are now available for a new direct air service linking Adelaide with Shanghai, marking the return of nonstop flights between South Australia and mainland China. China Eastern Airlines will begin operating the route from June, connecting Adelaide with what is widely regarded as the world’s third-largest city by population and economic weight.
The first inbound flight from Shanghai is scheduled to arrive at Adelaide Airport at 7.30am on Sunday, 21 June, before departing again at 9.30am the same morning. The service will run three times a week until Sunday, 2 August, using an Airbus A350-900 configured with 286 seats across economy and business classes. Each flight will also carry up to 15 tonnes of freight.
China Eastern’s Adelaide service will operate under flight number MU782 and represents the airline’s first season flying into the South Australian capital. The carrier is expected to return in early 2027 to complete its inaugural operating cycle. With the addition of China Eastern, Adelaide will now be served by 13 international airlines flying to 12 overseas destinations.
The route aligns with a long-stated goal of the Malinauskas Government to strengthen South Australia’s direct connections with major global economies. China remains Australia’s largest trading partner and a key market for both exports and inbound tourism. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, South Australia exported more than $3.4 billion worth of goods to China over the past 12 months.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the return of direct flights to Shanghai would help rebuild visitor numbers following the reopening of international travel. She noted that China remains South Australia’s most valuable international visitor market by spend, with official figures showing Chinese visitors contributed $305 million to the state’s visitor economy in the year to September 2025. Around 51,000 Chinese travellers visited South Australia during that period.
Bettison said the direct connection would make travel easier for visitors interested in South Australia’s food and wine offerings, major events and regional experiences, while supporting jobs across hospitality, tourism and related sectors. She also pointed to growing international interest in the state, driven by a pipeline of events and new visitor experiences.
Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs described the commencement of ticket sales as an important milestone for the state’s global connectivity. Shanghai, home to nearly 30 million people, is seen as a key gateway city for business, trade and tourism. The new route reduces travel time to under 11 hours, a factor expected to appeal to business travellers, government delegations and exporters.
Szakacs highlighted the freight capacity of the service, noting that high-value South Australian products such as southern rock lobster have recorded strong export results since the Chinese market reopened less than a year ago. Direct flights are expected to support the movement of fresh produce and time-sensitive goods, alongside passenger travel.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said the service would strengthen links between South Australia and China, opening up further opportunities for trade, tourism and investment. He noted that China Eastern is one of the country’s largest airlines and that Shanghai is China’s biggest city, making the connection particularly relevant for long-term growth.
Cox also pointed to broader recovery trends at the airport, with international passenger numbers rising by 21 per cent in 2025. The Shanghai service will become Adelaide’s second direct connection with mainland China, adding to a network that has steadily expanded as international travel demand has returned.
While the initial schedule is limited to a short seasonal window, the launch is being closely watched by tourism operators, exporters and airlines alike as an indicator of future demand. How the route performs over the coming months is likely to shape decisions about longer-term services and increased frequency.
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