Cathay Pacific Resumes Adelaide Flights with A350 for 2025-2026 Season

Cathay Pacific has resumed its seasonal service between Hong Kong and Adelaide, re-establishing a key international connection that was suspended in March 2020. The thrice-weekly flights, operated by an Airbus A350-900, commenced on November 11, 2025, and are scheduled to run through March 27, 2026. This resumption marks a significant milestone for Adelaide Airport (ADL), as it completes the restoration of all international airline services that operated prior to the pandemic.

The return of Cathay Pacific (CX) is projected to have a substantial economic impact on the region. According to the Premier of South Australia, the reinstated route is estimated to generate $32 million annually for the state's economy. This figure comprises approximately $17 million from tourism and $15 million from air freight, underscoring the dual importance of the passenger and cargo service.

Service Details and Schedule

The seasonal service connects Adelaide with Cathay Pacific's hub at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) three times per week. Flight CX173 departs Hong Kong at 23:30, arriving in Adelaide at 10:30 the following day. The return flight, CX174, departs Adelaide at 12:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving back in Hong Kong at 17:40 local time.

The deployment of the Airbus A350-900 represents an upgrade for the route. The aircraft features a 280-seat configuration across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes. Notably, this marks the first time Cathay Pacific has offered a Premium Economy cabin on its Adelaide service. The modern widebody also provides significant cargo capacity, with the ability to carry up to 15 tonnes of freight per flight, enabling up to 45 tonnes of South Australian products to be exported to Asia and beyond each week.

Economic and Strategic Impact

The resumption has been welcomed by government and airport officials. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas highlighted the route's value, stating, "Delivering a boon for tourism and trade, the reinstated route is estimated to generate $32 million for South Australia each year, driving appeal to both work and travel in our great State." The service provides a critical one-stop connection for travelers and exporters to key markets across Asia, Europe, and North America via the Oneworld Alliance network.

This move is part of a broader trend of airlines reinstating pre-pandemic routes as international travel demand recovers. For Adelaide, this particular service is the final piece in rebuilding its international network, which also recently saw the addition of new direct flights to San Francisco. Cathay Pacific has a long history with the city, having first launched flights in 1992. According to an announcement from the South Australian government, the return strengthens this enduring partnership.

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, commented on the long-standing relationship: "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 more enduring international partnerships for many years." With the Adelaide route back online, Cathay Pacific will operate close to 90 return flights per week to eight destinations across the Southwest Pacific.

Why This Matters

In my view, the return of Cathay Pacific to Adelaide is more than just another route on a map; it's a strong indicator of returning confidence in secondary international markets. It demonstrates a strategic approach to network recovery, utilizing more efficient, modern aircraft like the A350 to not only meet passenger demand but also to capitalize on lucrative air freight opportunities. For a state like South Australia, whose economy relies heavily on high-value exports, this connection is a vital economic artery. This move signals that the post-pandemic recovery is maturing from simply restoring major trunk routes to rebuilding a more nuanced and commercially optimized global network.

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