South Australia’s direct connection to its largest international tourism and trade market is set to become permanent, with China Southern Airlines confirming it will expand its Adelaide–Guangzhou service to operate year-round from March 2026.
The announcement marks another strong vote of confidence in South Australia’s aviation, tourism and export sectors, with the airline also adding a fourth weekly service during the peak travel window between April 6 and May 5. The route will continue to be operated using China Southern’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Since 2024, the airline has flown a seasonal service between December and March, operating three return flights per week direct from Guangzhou to Adelaide. Moving to a permanent, year-round schedule now ensures South Australia maintains a consistent direct link with China, its largest international tourism market by spend.
According to Tourism Research Australia, visitors from China spent $305 million in South Australia in the year to September 2025, an increase of 31 per cent on the previous year. The permanent service is expected to further strengthen that growth, with the economic impact of three direct non-stop flights per week estimated to generate more than $69 million annually and support over 255 full-time equivalent tourism jobs.
Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison welcomed the expansion, describing it as a significant endorsement of the state’s global appeal.
“We are thrilled to see yet another international airline making an investment into Adelaide and South Australia.
This year-round service from China Southern reflects growing confidence in the South Australian market and is a strong vote of confidence in our aviation and tourism sectors.
As South Australia’s largest international tourism market, visitors from China make a significant contribution to the state’s economy, so we are delighted they will be able to travel here directly right through the year.
Having this route as a permanent fixture in our skies sends a clear message that South Australia is a world-class destination for every season.”
Beyond tourism, the flights play a critical role in trade. Each Dreamliner service can carry up to 15 tonnes of South Australian goods direct to China, enabling more than 2,300 tonnes of outbound airfreight annually to the state’s largest export partner.
Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs said the move reflects coordinated efforts across government and industry.
“We warmly welcome China Southern’s decision to move to year-round services out of South Australia.
These things don’t happen by accident. They are the result of consistent and coordinated efforts by our Government, airport and industry to make Adelaide Airport an attractive venture for major carriers.
Since coming to Government in 2022, exports from South Australia to China have increased by more than 82 per cent to $3.5 billion.
Each new flight into Guangzhou will deliver an extra 15-tonnes of world-class South Australian products directly into our largest, most critical market.”
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said the certainty of year-round flights was a major win for exporters and travellers alike, while China Southern’s Regional General Manager Jason Sun highlighted Guangzhou’s role as a major hub connecting Adelaide to more than 220 destinations across China and beyond.
The announcement follows a broader surge in international aviation into South Australia, including the recent arrival of United Airlines services connecting Adelaide directly with the United States for the first time.
