Adelaide flights get boost as Cathay Pacific adds extra Hong Kong direct flight from Adelaide Airport

AN EXTRA 26,000 seats per year, a tourism boost and export opportunities are all on offer for SA with a major international airline putting on an extra flight service per week from October.

AN extra 26,000 seats per year, a tourism boost and export opportunities are all on offer for SA with a major international airline putting on an extra flight service per week from October.

Cathay Pacific, in Adelaide for more than 25 years, will introduce six-day direct Adelaide to Hong Kong flights — up from its currently five-day services — from October 28.

The additional service on an Airbus A330, which will operate under a new timetable, is likely to improve connections to North Asia, China, North America and continental Europe.

From October, Cathay will offer early afternoon departures on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and evening departures on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Cathay Pacific will offer six-day Adelaide direct to Hong Kong flights. Picture: AFP / Anthony Wallace

“The changed flight timings mean more flexibility and ease for passengers,” said Cathay Pacific General Manager of Southwest Pacific Rakesh Raicar.

“It means more cargo capacity and export opportunities for fresh food producers,” he said.

However, he said the changed times would negatively affect those travelling to India, in terms of connecting flights.

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex welcomed the news.

“Recent figures show international visitation to SA has reached an all-time high as visitors spent a huge $1.15 billion in our state.

“Growing direct air access to Adelaide is critical to visitor growth ...”

Mr Raicar said the move reconfirmed Cathay’s commitment to SA.

The Cathay update means more cargo capacity and tourism and export opportunities.

The airline is a sponsor of the Port Adelaide Football Club and event partner on its AFL match against the Gold Coast Suns in Shanghai in May.

Cathay’s update comes soon after an RAA member survey pushed for national airline Qantas to resume international direct flights from Adelaide.

Adelaide Airport had a 4.2 per cent rise in international passengers to December 2017.

It comes after long-term operators Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Cathay Pacific were joined by a number of new international flight operators in recent years, including Emirates, Air New Zealand, China Southern, Qatar and Fiji Airways.