Fast track security in place at Adelaide Airport as Air NZ, Qantas launch new flights

Qantas has launched a new direct flight between Adelaide and Auckland, marking the airline’s first international service from SA in more than a decade.

The first Qantas direct flight from Adelaide to Auckland took off on Friday morning, marking the airline’s first international service from SA in more than a decade.

The direct route will operate until early May four times per week on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Qantas International chief executive Cam Wallace said it was a significant day for the airline and South Australians.

“South Australians can now reach New York in around 21 hours and with just one stop via Auckland on our QF3 service, while the new route also opens up greater opportunities for inbound connections throughout South Australia and beyond through our domestic network,” Mr Wallace said.

Qantas domestic business lounge at Adelaide Airport. Picture: Supplied

SA Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the new service would further strengthen the state’s access to New Zealand, “our fourth largest tourism market which has seen huge growth, up 42 per cent on the last year to contribute $93 million to South Australia’s economy”.

“This service also provides greater access to another key global market in North America – worth $118 million to our state – as it connects through to New York City with a single

stop.”

Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy said the direct services played a vital role in strengthening connectivity, with 1.47 million Australians visiting New Zealand over the past year.

The new Qantas direct flight comes just days after the inaugural Christchurch-Adelaide flight service touched down on Monday night, marking the first direct flight between Adelaide and a sister city.

The Air New Zealand flight route, which took off from Adelaide on Tuesday morning, marks the first time visitors from New Zealand’s South Island could fly direct to South Australia.

The new service will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays through to March 27, 2026 linking Adelaide with its first sister city, a partnership dating back to 1972.

According to the state government, New Zealand is the state’s fourth largest tourism market with 43,000 visitors annually, contributing $93 million to SA’s economy and generating 554,000 nights’ stay over the year.

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the new route was “terrific for tourism” in South Australia.

The direct Air New Zealand service from Christchurch is the first in a series of exciting arrivals of new routes and new airlines through to the end of the year – strengthening the world’s connection to South Australia and seeing more international airlines servicing Adelaide than ever before.

It comes after the new security screening operations launched at Adelaide Airport, meaning travellers could enjoy a much smoother entry into SA.

Travellers on domestic flights are now spared the hassle of taking laptops out of bags, speeding up the process, although pockets still need to be emptied and belts removed.

The new security is being extended to international flights which will also end the requirement for liquids and aerosols to be removed, although liquids still need to be in ziplock bags.

The upgrade came ahead of the Adelaide-Christchurch service launch on Tuesday and before national carrier Qantas finally resumes international flights from Adelaide on Friday with a service to Auckland.

Qantas new domestic business lounge at Adelaide Airport. Picture: Supplied

The security upgrade was announced in 2019, delayed by Covid then got underway last year with body scanners and 3D X-ray bag scanners introduced across all security screening lanes.

It is part of a national airport security upgrade costing an estimated $2bn with a federal deadline of the end of the year.

An Adelaide Airport spokesman said installation of new passenger screening equipment at its central screening point is now complete.

“The upgrade means body scanners and 3D X-ray bag scanners have been rolled out across all security screening lanes,” he said.

“Customers no longer need to remove laptops, tablets or aerosols from their carry-on luggage, but they will need to remove all items from pockets as well as removing belts.”

Huge queues at Adelaide Airport security screening should be less common with the new system in place. Picture: Supplied

The upgrades are part of Adelaide Airport’s $600m “Project Flight” upgrading infrastructure in and around the terminal.

“Some screening technology at the separate international departures security checkpoint has also been upgraded, but for now, international travellers still need to remove laptops and tablets from their carry-on, as well as separately present powders, liquids, aerosols and gels for inspection,” the spokesman said.

“Adelaide Airport this week will welcome two new international services, with the first ever Adelaide-Christchurch service with Air New Zealand departing Tuesday, and Qantas flying internationally out of Adelaide for the first time in more than a decade with flights to Auckland on Friday.”

Qantas new domestic business lounge at Adelaide Airport. Picture: Supplied

South Australia has been without any direct international Qantas flight operated out of Adelaide Airport since QF81 to Singapore departed in April 2013.

Auckland is considered an excellent transit city for onward flights to America’s east coast.

Announcing the four times per week seasonal service to Auckland, Qantas Group chief executive officer Qantas International Cam Wallace highlighted the one-stop link to the United States via direct Auckland to New York (JFK) flights.

“This is fantastic news for our South Australian customers who will have access to a direct international flight to Auckland as well as opening up connections to New York via Auckland,” he said.

Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Hobart airports have completed their security upgrade, while Brisbane and Sydney expect to meet the end of year deadline.