From mid-2026 South Australian exporters, businesses, tourists and students will have direct access to Shanghai as China’s second largest airline, China Eastern, announces it will fly out of Adelaide Airport.
Boasting nearly 800 aircraft, China Eastern operates out of Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports and will provide a seasonal route between Adelaide and the world’s third largest city, three times a week, commencing mid-2026.
The direct flights will provide opportunities for South Australian exporters to use the airline to air freight products to the state’s largest trading partner. Chinese demand for South Australian live Southern Rock Lobster continues to grow, with each flight capable of providing 15 tonnes of cargo.
“This service will see one of China’s largest carriers connecting Adelaide with China’s largest city and one of the biggest cities in the world,” said Brenton Cox, Managing Director, Adelaide Airport. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to open up business and tourism opportunities between China and South Australia and connecting with the rest of the world through China Eastern’s vast network.
“Importantly, it will be our second direct connection with mainland China on the back of China Southern flights to Guangzhou, while Cathay Pacific flights to Hong Kong also resume next week.”
The announcement of direct flights comes on the first day of the China International Import Exhibition, which China Eastern’s Chairman will be attending and where South Australia is supporting more than 20 companies to exhibit their products.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data show that China remains South Australia’s largest two-way trading partner with $3.6 billion worth of our merchandise goods exported to China over the past 12 months, including $731 million worth of wine (up 86 per cent) and $286 million worth of nuts (up 90 per cent).
International visitation is currently worth a record $1.7 billion to South Australia’s economy, up 33 per cent on the previous year and ahead of the national growth of 18 per cent. This has largely been driven by China.
