One of the three largest airlines in China with more than 900 aircraft in its domestic and international fleet, China Southern Airlines, has flown back into Adelaide as it relaunches its service to Guangzhou.
Prior to COVID-19, China Southern Airlines flew between Adelaide and Guangzhou three times a week and will reinstate flights during the peak summer period, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, further connecting South Australia to Asia as well as Europe and North America.
“In 2009, China Southern Airlines initiated its internationalisation strategy,” said Mr Zhixing Sun, Regional General Manager of China Southern Airlines Australia and New Zealand. “In 2016, we launched the Guangzhou-Adelaide route, utilising Guangzhou as a passenger hub to provide travel services between China and major cities around the world.
"China Southern Airlines is looking forward to strengthening the cooperation with various sectors in South Australia, continue to expand the ‘Canton Route’, and bring more travellers from China and around the world to South Australia.”
The direct flights will provide an extra 798 seats per week, opening up new opportunities for trade and tourism, and further deepening the relationship between South Australia and China.
The route will also provide important freight pathways for South Australia’s premium food exporters, reconnecting South Australia to the Chinese market.
“China is such an important market for us and welcoming back China Southern is a huge boost for the South Australian economy,” said Mr Brenton Cox, Managing Director at Adelaide Airport. “It also reconnects families and stimulates vital tourism and trade between our two countries. It is an essential link in our network vision that will grow our state’s economy.
“The return of China Southern is also a significant stimulus for our exporters at a time when trade restrictions between China and Australia on products such as beef and lobsters have recently been lifted.”
China Southern is the second major international airline to recommence direct flights to South Australia in less than two months after Emirates reinstated direct daily flights between Dubai and Adelaide on 28 October.
