Singapore Airlines will operate more international flights to Adelaide than any overseas carrier has ever flown year-round, as South Australia continues to expand its international aviation network ahead of the summer travel season.
From 25 October, Singapore Airlines will increase its Adelaide service to 12 flights a week, adding 1,328 seats each week and providing daily afternoon arrivals along with five morning services through Singapore’s Changi Airport.
The expansion comes alongside a separate boost from China Southern Airlines, which will increase its Guangzhou-Adelaide route from three weekly services to daily flights between 1 December 2026 and 10 March 2027. That seasonal increase will add another 1,064 seats a week.
Together, the two airlines will deliver an additional 2,392 seats into Adelaide each week over the peak summer period, strengthening links with two of South Australia’s fastest-growing visitor markets.
The latest increases follow recent growth in international services, including additional peak flights by Cathay Pacific and the launch of China Eastern’s direct Shanghai-Adelaide route in June.
State Trade and Investment Minister Chris Picton said the additional capacity reflected growing international demand for South Australia.
“South Australia continues to buck global trends as we welcome more international flights, more students and travellers, and break export records,” Mr Picton said.
He said discussions during a recent trade mission to Southeast Asia had reinforced the importance of Singapore Airlines’ Adelaide service.
“During my recent trade mission to Southeast Asia, I took the opportunity to reaffirm the importance of Singapore Airlines direct service to Adelaide and it is extremely pleasing to see these additional year-round flights now come online.”
Mr Picton said the extra services would strengthen ties with Singapore while creating more opportunities for South Australian businesses to reach overseas markets.
He said China Southern’s move to daily flights during the peak travel season, including Chinese New Year, would further support exporters.
“China is already our state’s largest two-way trading partner and additional direct flights will mean less delays, fresher produce on shelves and better market access for our exporters.”
Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said the increased schedules reflected confidence in South Australia’s visitor economy.
“Singapore Airlines has been flying into South Australia for over four decades, but now they’ll be operating more flights than any international carrier ever before. It shows how important this route is in connecting our cities,” she said.
She said China Southern’s decision to move from a year-round three-times-weekly service to daily flights during summer was “a massive vote of confidence in South Australia as a destination for visitors coming from China”.
“This additional capacity demonstrates the growing appeal of our state as a visitor destination and the strong growth we’ve seen in the Asian market in the previous year,” Ms Bourke said, adding that more seats would help attract international visitors while supporting tourism businesses across the state.
Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific Foo Chai Woo said the airline had served South Australia for 42 years and was responding to sustained demand.
“As South Australia’s longest serving international airline, Singapore Airlines has connected South Australian people and places to Singapore and the rest of the world for 42 years,” he said.
“Building on our legacy of strongly supporting the South Australian market, and with robust travel demand into and out of Adelaide, we’re happy to offer our customers even more choice and more capacity with 12 weekly services from October 2026.”
China Southern Airlines Regional Director of Sales and Marketing William Wang said the airline expected strong demand across business, leisure and family travel.
“We are thrilled to expand our Adelaide-Guangzhou service to daily flights between December 1 and March 10, 2027, catering to the strong peak-season demand for business, leisure, and family travel,” he said.
Mr Wang said China’s 30-day visa-free policy for Australian passport holders had made travel easier and highlighted Guangzhou’s role as a gateway to destinations across Europe and Asia through the airline’s network.
Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said the Singapore Airlines expansion marked a milestone for the state’s aviation sector.
“This is amazing news from Singapore Airlines – it is the first time an international airline has flown 12 flights a week year-round out of Adelaide,” he said.
Mr Cox said the additional capacity would benefit travellers and exporters alike, while China Southern’s rapid move to daily summer services demonstrated the strength of demand for international travel through Adelaide.
The aviation growth coincides with rising visitor spending and exports. Visitors from China spent $390 million in South Australia in the year to March 2026, up nearly 28 per cent on the previous year, while visitors from Singapore spent $78 million, more than double the previous year’s figure. Air freight exports also rose 35 per cent in the year to May, helping lift South Australia’s exports to a record $18.4 billion over the past 12 months.
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
