Adelaide Airport Experiences Significant Surge in International Passenger Numbers and Capacity

Record-Breaking International Growth at Adelaide Airport

Adelaide Airport has announced a remarkable period of growth, with inbound seat capacity soaring by 32% and international passenger numbers exceeding 1.1 million in the 12 months leading up to November 2025. This represents a 20% year-on-year increase in international arrivals, underscoring a strong rebound and expansion in global connectivity for South Australia.

The airport also recorded its highest-ever overall passenger traffic for the 2025 financial year (FY25), serving 8.7 million travelers, a 2.3% increase over FY24. International traffic alone for FY25 surpassed 1 million passengers, growing by 7.7% compared to the previous financial year. The first quarter of FY26 (July-September 2025) saw international traffic reach a 'record high,' eclipsing 300,000 passengers and growing 28.4%.

Key Drivers of Expanded Connectivity

The significant growth is largely driven by the restoration of pre-pandemic routes and the introduction of several new long-haul services. Notable additions include:

• United Airlines' non-stop San Francisco–Adelaide flight, launched in August 2025, which is projected to inject A$22 million into the state economy through visitor spending and freight.
• Increased frequencies from major carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Emirates, AirAsia, and Air New Zealand.
• The launch of Indonesia AirAsia's direct service to Bali in June 2025.
• Qantas' return to the international market from Adelaide with Auckland flights commencing October 2025.
• Emirates' debut of its first long-range A350 aircraft in Adelaide from December 2025, making South Australia the global launch destination for this aircraft type.
• Commitments from China Eastern and China Southern for new services to Shanghai and Guangzhou in 2026.
• Future plans for Fiji Airways to open a Nadi link next winter.

Leisure travel, boosted by events like the AFL Gather Round and April school holidays, also played a crucial role in this passenger surge.

Infrastructure Upgrades and Economic Impact

To support this burgeoning demand and future expansion, Adelaide Airport is progressing with a $600 million infrastructure upgrade program, known as 'Project Flight.' This initiative includes expanding the terminal, adding new gates and aerobridges, and enhancing security screening systems, aligning with the airport's 2050 Aviation Network Vision.

South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison has articulated a goal to elevate international visitor expenditure to A$2.2 billion by 2030, with aviation being identified as 'the essential first step.' Early indicators, such as forward bookings for Chinese New Year being 15% above 2024 levels, suggest that this strategy is yielding positive results.