A China Southern Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will be used on the new Adelaide service. Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
China Southern Airlines will resume direct flights Guangzhou and Adelaide from December.
As of December 12, the airline will fly three times a week directly between the cities using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the decision.
“This is another massive win for our state’s tourism and trade sectors which will see millions of dollars injected into our state year on year.
“Building airline capacity has been a priority for the government from the start as we work to bring back international visitors in South Australia who are not just here for a holiday, but those ready to invest in businesses, education, and exports,” Mr Malinauskas says.
Zhixing Sun is Regional General Manager for China Southern Airlines across Australia and New Zealand.
He says they are “looking forward” to strengthening ties South Australia and expand their Canton Route.
Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox says they are “incredibly excited” by the news.
“This is a significant win for our exporters with the widebody Dreamliner able to carry South Australian products such as fresh seafood and produce direct to one of China’s largest cities and, in turn, providing easier one-stop access to markets throughout China.”
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison says the news is “welcome”.
“The three weekly … flights will make South Australia that much more enticing for potential visitors from China, an international market once worth $384 million to our state’s visitor economy,” she says.
“South Australia’s international market is now at an all-time high of $1.3 billion; this momentum will continue thanks to the return of another important major international airline.”
Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs says the decision is “fantastic news for our export sector”.
“… (It’s) providing not only greater business access to China but opening up air freight opportunities to get our state’s premium agrifoods onto Chinese shelves and dinner tables.”
He says they will work with the airline to get South Australian food and drinks onto the in-flight menu.
The new service will bring the number of international airlines flying into Adelaide to nine.
