Direct Adelaide route to Christchurch on Air New Zealand announced, extra flights to Auckland

The airport has revealed a new direct overseas route flying out of Adelaide twice a week, as well as new flights to Auckland – and a cheap offer.

Travellers will be able to fly direct to Christchurch twice a week from Adelaide on a new international route from October, after Adelaide Airport signed a deal with Air New Zealand.

The airline will introduce two new flights a week, to run seasonally between October 28 until March 28 next year.

Air New Zealand will use its narrowbody A320 or A321 Airbus aircraft, creating about 15,000 seats across the season.

Flights will arrive in Adelaide on Monday and Friday at 7.55pm and depart from Adelaide on Tuesday and Saturday at 7.00am, the airport said.

The flights date back to an agreement signed in 2022 between the airports of Adelaide and Christchurch – which are sister cities – to secure direct services between the cities.

Air New Zealand will also expand its Adelaide-Auckland service to six flights a week in November, and has announced an introductory sale fare of $345 one-way with seats on sale from Wednesday.

Normal prices range from $372 to $464, some with stops.

Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said he was delighted Air New Zealand had recognised the strong demand between Adelaide and Christchurch.

“Our data shows that close to 50,000 passengers are travelling indirectly between Adelaide and the South Island each year, with a relatively even split of inbound and outbound travel, so we’re confident that there will be significant interest in this new service,” he said.

“The majority of travellers between Adelaide and New Zealand are either on holiday or visiting family and relatives.

“We continue to grow our international aviation network with ambitious targets to reach 14 non-stop international destinations by 2030 and 39 international routes by 2050.”

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said the launch marked another important step in the airline’s growth strategy.

“This route gives Aussies more choice and convenience when flying to Aotearoa and accessing all the South Island has to offer – from Queenstown and Fiordland to our world-class food and wine regions.”

Originally published as Direct Adelaide route to Christchurch on Air New Zealand announced, extra flights to Auckland