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Cathay Pacific has made its return to Adelaide with a new seasonal Hong Kong service.
Flight CX173 from Hong Kong touched down in Adelaide shortly before 10:20am on Wednesday aboard the A350-900 B-LRJ, returning as CX174 two hours later. The non-stop flights will operate three times per week until 27 March 2026.
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“We’re excited to welcome Cathay Pacific back to Adelaide. The airline first started flying to Adelaide in 1992 and it has been one of our enduring international partnerships,” Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said.
“South Australians will again be part of their extensive global network with a non-stop service to Hong Kong and excellent connections to Asian and European destinations.
“The A350-900 is a step-up from the A330 that Cathay previously operated on this route, and the inclusion of Premium Economy creates greater product choice for travellers.
“We also anticipate solid inbound passenger numbers on the back of our growing tourism market and strong international education opportunities.”
Cathay chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau said the airline is “delighted” to be returning to Adelaide for the first time since its pre-COVID-19 service ended in March 2020.
“Adelaide is a dynamic city that offers visitors incredible culinary delights, world-renowned wines, stunning natural attractions, and much more,” she said.
“We look forward to welcoming customers onboard to experience our signature Cathay Pacific service, whether they are flying to this dynamic city, our home hub, or beyond.”
Cathay now operates to Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Cairns, alongside Auckland and Christchurch, making for around 100 services per week to Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking to Australian Aviation at a media event in Sydney in August, Tom Kennedy, Cathay’s regional head of customer travel and lifestyle, Southwest Pacific, said Australia is “really important” for the carrier.
“We’ve been operating flights here to Australia for 55 years. Perth, in fact, was our very first port that we commenced flights to,” he said.
“Australia is a long-standing, mature market for Cathay, and we fly to all the major cities.
“All of our flights connect up to Hong Kong and then to 100 destinations beyond Hong Kong, and Australia is right up there in terms of a key source market for Cathay, being a network carrier.”
The Commonwealth government last year authorised increasing passenger capacity for Hong Kong to 84 flights per week, up from 70, and with no limits on cargo services.
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Scott Jones
says:Why a seasonal service, if Adelaide is so important to Cathay Pacific? Prior to Covid 19, Adelaide enjoyed all year round trips to Hong Kong.