In a major sign of post-pandemic recovery for South Australia, the State Government has today announced Emirates will once again fly direct to Adelaide - generating a multi-million-dollar boost to tourism and trade.
From 28 October, Emirates will recommence direct daily flights from Dubai to Adelaide operated by a Boeing 777-200LR.
The relaunch of direct Emirates flights is a key milestone for South Australia's post-COVID economic recovery - set to deliver an estimated $160 million in tourism expenditure and freight exports as well as boost jobs.
The tourism expenditure of daily direct non-stop Emirates flights is estimated to generate more than $62 million per year and create in excess of 315 full-time equivalent tourism-related jobs for South Australians.
Each flight will also offer 14 tonnes of cargo space, totalling 196 tonnes weekly between Dubai and Adelaide. The value of freight exports is estimated to be $98 million per year, bringing the total estimated expenditure generated by daily Emirates flights to Adelaide to $160 million.
Emirates flies to more than 140 destinations around the world and will provide Adelaide with flights from the Middle East, UK, Europe, India, and the east coast of the United States.
Emirates first launched its Adelaide services in 2012 and carried more than 165,000 passengers between Dubai and Adelaide in 2019. The service ceased in March 2020 soon after the declaration of the global pandemic.
Operating daily on the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft with 38 Business Class seats alongside 264 seats in Economy Class, the relaunched Adelaide service will offer 302 seats per flight and over 4,200 weekly seats between Dubai and Adelaide.
Emirates' EK440 will depart from Dubai at 02:00hrs and arrive in Adelaide at 20:50hrs. Emirates' return flight EK441 will depart from Adelaide at 22:35hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:15hrs. All times are local.
The flight schedule connects passengers with Emirates' prime European arrival and departure times offering a seamless travel experience and optimal connections of less than four hours.
The relaunched Emirates flights will bring the number of international airlines flying to Adelaide to 10.
The State Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission has worked closely with Adelaide Airport to reinstate direct Emirates flights to Adelaide.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said reinstating Emirates flights to Adelaide has been a key priority for the State Government.
"Emirates once again flying daily direct into Adelaide will further drive South Australia's economic growth - set to deliver an estimated $160 million in tourism expenditure and freight exports and create more than 315 full-time tourism-related jobs for South Australians," Premier Malinauskas said.
"The Emirates service has been very much missed by South Australians - recommencing daily flights will make Adelaide easier to reach from key long-haul markets and make doing business with our state easier."
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said this is a major recovery milestone for the state's tourism industry, providing a crucial link into South Australia's traditionally strong European markets, as well as the UK, Middle East, India, and the east coast of the US.
"The reinstatement of direct daily Emirates flights into Adelaide is expected to generate more than $62 million in tourism expenditure alone - a major boost to our state's visitor economy," Minister Bettison said.
"It is exciting that South Australia will once again feature in Emirates' global marketing programs, getting more eyes around the world on SA and helping drive an increase in visitors to our state."
Emirates Divisional Vice President Australasia, Barry Brown said the return of Emirates to Adelaide has been highly anticipated by passengers and industry for some time.
"We are equally as excited to again service South Australia and provide the state with opportunities across leisure, culture and tourism and support trade growth opportunities through our connection to Dubai and onwards to destinations worldwide," Mr Brown said.
"The return of our Adelaide service completes our footprint in Australia serving five points across the country.
"With special thanks to our partners at the South Australian Tourism Commission and Adelaide Airport, I could not be prouder to be fulfilling Emirates' commitment to Australia in its entirety. We're already looking ahead to welcoming our first passengers from Adelaide on board in October"
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox said this is great news for customers who will once again benefit from Emirates' extensive global network via Dubai.
"It offers greater competition and choice for travellers, including through Emirates' code-sharing arrangement with Qantas, connecting through the Middle East to Europe and Africa," Mr Cox said.
"Equally it creates significant tourism and wider economic opportunities in attracting international visitors to Adelaide.
"The widebody Boeing 777-200LR aircraft also creates improved air freight export opportunities for our local producers to Middle Eastern and European markets."
