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Adelaide is the latest Australian airport to mark a record high in 2025, reaching more than 9 million passengers for the first time in a calendar year.
The new all-time high – up 4.1 per cent on 2024 – comes after more than 2.4 million passengers used Adelaide Airport in the December quarter, representing year-on-year growth of 6.4 per cent, and as more international airlines introduce year-round services.
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Adelaide saw more than 320,000 international passengers in the last three months of 2025, up 26 per cent over the previous year.
“Demand was particularly strong over the festive period with Adelaide Airport achieving the busiest day post-COVID in December,” the airport said in a statement.
“This performance was driven by the ongoing growth in international travel and significant network expansion, including the launch of United Airlines’ San Francisco service, Qantas’ Auckland services, Air New Zealand’s Christchurch flights, the return of Cathay Pacific, and the commencement of China Southern’s second season.
“At 31 December 2025, Adelaide Airport was served by 12 airlines across 11 international destinations. This will increase to 13 airlines to 12 destinations from mid-2026.”
Domestic travel continued a “strong growth trajectory”, with more than 2.1 million passengers translating to a 4 per cent increase.
“Demand was underpinned from the sustained growth across key trunk routes and from the basing of additional aircraft from Jetstar with capacity expanding on services to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth,” the airport said.
“Demand was further boosted from major events such as the Adelaide 500 Grand Final, the Beach Volleyball World Championships and Ashes Cricket.”
China Southern Airlines announced last month it would transition its seasonal Guangzhou service to year-round flights three times per week, which Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said was “fantastic news for travellers”.
“This also provides certainty for South Australian exporters who can now rely on these flights to reach their key markets at any time of the year,” he said.
“The service will stimulate travel, generate trade, connect communities, and is an essential link in our network vision that will grow our state’s economy.
“The widebody Dreamliner is 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.”
Adelaide last year also saw a record $351.1 million worth of goods exported by air.
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