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Adelaide Airport has just been named the best airport in Asia, taking out the overall winner title at the Routes Asia 2026 Awards in Xi’an, China, while also winning the 5 to 20 million passengers category for the second year in a row.
The timing could hardly be better. On the same day the accolade was announced, Malaysia Airlines’ new A330neo touched down in Adelaide for the first time.
The Routes Asia awards recognise excellence in airport and destination marketing, with airlines voting on the organisations that have done the most to support new and existing route development. Adelaide Airport was recognised for 21 per cent year-on-year growth and for surpassing 9 million passengers for the first time in 2025.
It is another major moment for Adelaide’s growing international aviation story, following a huge year of route expansion that has included Adelaide’s first ever direct service to the United States with United Airlines, Qantas flights to Auckland, and Air New Zealand opening a new Christchurch route.
This achievement is a testament to the trust and support of our airline friends, whose collaboration
continues to fuel Adelaide’s remarkable growth and enhance our city’s presence on the global
map,” Adelaide Airport Head of Aviation Business Development and Commercial Jonathan Cheong said.
“Airlines remain the backbone of connectivity – bringing people, communities and businesses together – and Adelaide Airport is proud to support that every day. Together, we are opening new opportunities, improving connectivity and supporting trade and tourism across South Australia.”
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said, “Our ‘Team Adelaide’ approach to destination marketing has proven highly effective and I thank and congratulate the State Government and SA Tourism Commission for the significant role they have played,” Cox said.
“Our business development and marketing teams work extremely hard to attract new international carriers and services, and our success is demonstrated by our recent double-digit growth in international passenger numbers.”
Minister for Tourism, Emily Bourke, added “This is further recognition of South Australia’s global standing as a leading destination to travel, live and do business.”
“Our state is experiencing massive growth in passenger numbers and international visitor expenditure – and being named Asia’s best airport reinforces to visitors they can expect a standout experience as soon as they land here.”
“We’ve seen the return of major airlines such as Cathay Pacific and China Southern Airlines and will continue this work to secure key markets and help international audiences discover everything South Australia has to offer.”
That momentum was on full display this morning with the arrival of Malaysia Airlines’ new Airbus A330-900neo on the Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur route. The aircraft features 28 Business Class seats, 269 Economy Class seats and 24 extra legroom seats, along with lower emissions, quieter engines and a more comfortable cabin. Its new Business Class suites include high walls and privacy doors designed to create a personal mini suite experience.
The aircraft upgrade follows the February increase of the Adelaide to Kuala Lumpur service from five flights a week to daily, adding more than 60,000 extra seats annually between the two cities.
Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager People, Culture and Customer, Dermot O’Neill, said “We’re excited that Malaysia Airlines has chosen to fly its brand-new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft on this route. The combination of the stunning new business class cabin and the award-winning economy class cabin offers premium comfort and an improved living space.”
“Today’s new aircraft launch reinforces Malaysia Airlines’ longstanding commitment to our market. It’s a wonderful outcome for South Australians travelling to Malaysia and beyond, and to the overseas visitors travelling to Adelaide using the airline’s extensive route network.”
“In addition to business and leisure traffic, we know this service is popular with international students flying from Malaysia and further afield including India, China, Nepal and Vietnam to study in Adelaide. Being a wide-body jet it also creates greater export opportunities for our local producers.”
