China Southern Airlines returns to South Australia.

This past week Adelaide (ADL) welcomed back China Southern Airlines. After nearly five years of not operating, the airline is reinstating its flight route between Adelaide and Guangzhou (CAN).

Reunited once again.

China Southern Airlines’ first flight between Guangzhou and Adelaide was in December 2016. It was operating three flights per week on the route and did so for around four years. Unfortunately, they stopped offering the flights in March 2020 due to the pandemic. On 01 February of that year, the Australian government gave China an advice level of four, the highest kind in which Australian citizens are warned not to travel to the country at all. On 25 March 2020, Australian citizens and permanent residents were banned from leaving the country. Even when these restrictions were eased, China Southern Airlines did not reinstate flights between Guangzhou and Adelaide.

Nearly five years after the airline put a stop to the route it has been reinstated. Flight CZ663 landed in Adelaide on the morning of 12 December. From now until 01 March 2025, China Southern Airlines will operate three flights a week. The flights will be on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. When departing from Guangzhou the plane will take off at 10:15 p.m. and land in Adelaide at 09:55 a.m. The flight going out of Adelaide will leave at 11:30 a.m. and arrive in Guangzhou at 06:05 p.m. Currently, the airline plans to run this flight over the peak summer period but wants to eventually operate the route on a year-round service. However, until there is high demand for this flight, they will conduct it according to peak seasons.

Re-connecting Chinese tourists to South Australia.

The relationship between Australia and China has slowly been rebuilding since the “end” of the pandemic. This direct flight route will not only strengthen the relationship between the two countries but will help the state reconnect Chinese citizens to their tourism industry.

Before the pandemic started, South Australia welcomed high numbers of Chinese tourists. In 2019, a record number of 66,000 Chinese tourists visited South Australia. These tourists generated $384 million in the state’s visitors economy. Ever since Australia eased travel restrictions for overseas visitors, Chinese tourists have returned to South Australia. However, the numbers are not as high as pre-pandemic levels. June of this year had the highest visitation numbers post-pandemic. The state welcomed 32,000 Chinese tourists, a 99% increase from the previous year. Those tourists generated $144 million, a 42 % increase from the previous year.

The hope is that because the flight between Guangzhou and Adelaide is a direct one, it will encourage future Chinese tourists to book holidays in South Australia rather than other Australian states.

Zoe Bettison, South Australia’s Tourism Minister, commented on the state government’s excitement about the returning flight:

“We’re delighted to welcome China Southern Airlines back to South Australia, reconnecting us to what is now our top international tourism market for nights and expenditure. International tourism is currently worth $1.3 billion. To further grow this, we’re bolstering our marketing efforts in China, working in partnership with China Southern Airlines, Tourism Australia and other key partners to showcase the very best of South Australia.”

Much easier access to the Chinese market.

Additionally, this flight route will open more possibilities for Australian exporters to connect with the Chinese market. South Australia is known for its wine, seafood, and fresh produce. This flight will make it easier for South Australian freight exporters to connect with Chinese customers as they have a way for their products to reach China.

Joe Szakacs, the state’s Minister for Trade and Investment, commented on what the returning flight means for South Australia’s exports:

“It’s great to be welcoming China Southern back to South Australia, with these new flights unlocking up to 45 tonnes of cargo space for local exporters to fill each week. Our exports to China have never been higher, worth $4.43 billion to the state’s economy over the past year, and this direct route provides another opportunity for our exporters to enter market cheaper, quicker and more efficiently.”

Overall, it is great to see a flight that was unfortunately stopped due to the pandemic return to the air. Hopefully, it will become a year-round service, but until then Adelaide and Guangzhou flyers can explore the cities during the summer season.

What are your thoughts on the returning flight route? Let us know in the comments or on social media.