News & Discussion: Adelaide Airport & Airlines

[Aidan]

Is the place they were previously going to put the tram still suitable?

[Norman]

Looks like Singapore Airlines is making those three extra weekly flights permanent from October 2024.

https://www.miragenews.com/singapore-ai ... d-1119296/

[Ho Really]

Looks like Singapore Airlines is making those three extra weekly flights permanent from October 2024.

The article doesn't say permanent. If SIA were serious about SQ276/SQ277 they would continue after January 22, 2024 or at the very least start these extra flights in June in time for the northern summer. This would give travellers short layover times on many onward flights to Europe.

In fact if SQ277 departed Singapore earlier with SQ276 doing the same from Adelaide the arrival times in Singapore would be around 22:00 or 22:35; this would add even more flights onward to Europe. Many departing around 23:55 Singapore time. Also they need to reinstate flights to Athens. Probably the only European capital (and tourist mecca) that has been shortchanged. Scoot currently doesn't cut it. This would give Qatar and Emirates (when they return) real competition on that route (Oz to Greece).

Cheers

P.S. Just for the record only Sunday 27 OCT and Wednesday 30 OCT are showing up on the schedule. I tried booking flights for late OCT 2024 two days ago (now three days being early morning) and there was no mention of SQ276/SQ277 in my searches.

[shinchane101]

thanks for sharing this Sigue el with us.

[Saltwater]

This article talks about increasing SQ schedules in line with the Northern Winter Schedule, so while I hope the increase is permanent, this again sounds seasonal.

https://flighthacks.com.au/sq-boosts-au ... ying-2024/

[Cryptic]

Sounds to me like its a permanent change. The seasonal boost is in December and January only according to the article, while the 10 flights per week schedule begins in October. So if i'm reading this correctly, 10 flights per week year-round, boosted to twice daily in December and January only.

[Ho Really]

Saltwater and Cryptic, well let's hope they are the start of a permanent second service that would give Adelaide travellers the option. Like I said in my post it would've been good if they added these flights during the northern hemisphere summer. Anyhow, looks like I'll be on one of the last Airbus A350-900MHs in January 2024 (SQ276) as from then on we'll be getting only Boeing 787-10s on SQ276/SQ277 and SQ278/SQ279. A real pity.

Cheers

[cammo]

Saltwater and Cryptic, well let's hope they are the start of a permanent second service that would give Adelaide travellers the option. Like I said in my post it would've been good if they added these flights during the northern hemisphere summer. Anyhow, looks like I'll be on one of the last Airbus A350-900MHs in January 2024 (SQ276) as from then on we'll be getting only Boeing 787-10s on SQ276/SQ277 and SQ278/SQ279. A real pity.

Cheers

Whether you're flying in Y or J, you won't notice any difference, it's exactly the same hard product. People say the A350 is quieter, but I've flown both many times and honestly cant tell the difference in noise.

[VinyTapestry849]

South Australia’s main gateway is going to get a $1B facelift

Adelaide Airport has released details of a five-year plan to expand South Australia’s main gateway in its 2023 Integrated Report.

More than half of the $1 billion capital investment will focus on major infrastructure projects that include an expansion of the security screening area to improve the traveller experience and meet compliance, the expansion of the check-in hall to upgrade technology and accommodate future growth, larger kerbside pick-up and departure zones to improve traffic conditions, expanded north and south terminal piers to create more gates and more aircraft parking.

Outlining its operational and financial performance, Adelaide Airport’s 2023 Integrated Report also highlights the airport’s recent achievements, points out existing challenges, and flags short, medium and long-term plans for the hub.

Along with the $1 billion five-year infrastructure plan, the report reveals that total annual passengers reached close to 8 million in FY23, which was a 91 per cent recovery against 2019 levels.

This return was led by domestic and regional traffic due to still relatively low levels (66 per cent) of international traffic. However, the airport reports that during the first quarter of FY24, international traffic had rebounded to 87 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, indicating a strong, upward trajectory.

The SA hub’s main focus for international is luring back Emirates, China Southern and Cathay Pacific.

To enhance the overall customer experience, the airport has also re-launched its service desk, welcomed new ambassadors, launched a customer service cultural transformation program and supported major events such as AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf.

Following the completion of a $200 million terminal expansion, the airport reports that its retail space is now fully leased and expects the whole area to be open by the end of this year. Compared to the last financial year, there has been a whopping 80 per cent increase in retail space.

Last week, the airport announced that work had begun on the hub’s first dedicated sports bar adjacent the international departures entry point in the main terminal.

Called the ADL Grounds Bar, the establishment will honour the city’s sporting grounds such as the Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Hindmarsh Stadium.

“An ongoing core commitment to ourselves and our customers is to ensure South Australian themes, products and flavours play a starring role in our retail environment,” Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said.

Meanwhile, the airport continues to focus on rebuilding its workforce, with a particular focus on its security screening personnel. The hub says it has now exceeded its pre-COVID staffing levels.

Elsewhere, the airport says it aims to do its part to help the aviation industry transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). At the same time, it continues to install more on-airport solar, and upgrade LED lighting, among other green initiatives.

The airport also hopes to capitalise on demand for developable land that is only two runway lengths from the CBD.

Adelaide Airport’s financial results meanwhile “reflect a return to stable and sustainable operations following several years of significant impact due to COVID related travel restrictions”.

Adelaide Airport’s 2023 Integrated Report including its Vision 2050 initiative can be viewed here.

Adelaide Airport welcomed Rex’s first Brisbane-Adelaide flight on Monday.

All images Adelaide Airport

[VinyTapestry849]

Adelaide Airport releases details of $1bn infrastructure plan

The Australian Business Network
An expanded check-in hall with beefed up security area, more gates and a second pick-up and drop-off lane are part of a $1bn investment pipeline unveiled by Adelaide Airport.

The airport has released details of its five-year spending plan in its latest integrated report, with more than $500m set aside for aviation infrastructure projects designed to increase capacity as passenger numbers near a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

About half a billion more will be spent on property developments across the airport precinct.

The boost in passenger numbers has underpinned the airport’s financial recovery, with a 69.9 per cent jump in revenue to $251m reported for the 12 months to June – the first full year since Covid-19 restrictions were removed.

Aeronautical revenue – representing fees charged to airlines based on passenger numbers – soared 109 per cent to $121.4m as travellers returned to the skies, while carparking revenue and rental income from retailers in the terminal both almost doubled to $33.6m and $28.7m respectively.

Net profit was up 91 per cent to $43.6m.

Total passenger numbers reached 7.8 million in 2022-23, reflecting a 91 per cent recovery against 2019 levels, with domestic and regional volumes at 95 per cent of pre-Covid levels and international passenger numbers lagging at 66 per cent.

However by the first quarter of the new financial year, international passenger numbers had increased to 87 per cent of pre-Covid volumes and domestic and regional travel through the airport had surged past pre-pandemic levels.

To support more growth expected over the next five years, the airport is planning a series of upgrades described as its “single biggest ever capital investment program”.
More than $500m will be spent on aviation infrastructure projects including:

- AN expanded check-in hall with upgraded security screening technology;

- TERMINAL pier expansions north and south to create more gates;

- A SECOND kerb-side pick-up and drop-off lane; and

- MORE space for aircraft parking.

The rest of the $1bn of investment will go towards property developments within the wider airport precinct, as well as other projects including a new ground-level car park for medium-term parking between the existing multistorey car park and the Bunnings and Ikea stores.

Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said he was expecting significant growth in passenger numbers over the next five years due to pent up demand from travellers, and upgrades were needed to keep pace with the expected surge in travel.

“We’re at volume levels just below where we were pre-Covid, and certainly our growth rates over the coming five years are going to be higher than historic averages because of the amount of catch up that’s occurring,” he said.

“Interestingly, that’s in an environment where there are a fair few global headwinds with geopolitical uncertainty, we’ve got flagged global recessions and consumer crunches in Australia. We factor those things into account with our forecasting, and even with those significant headwinds, the strength of the recovery and the desire to travel is outweighing those factors at the moment.”

While major international carriers Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines recently announced major expansions to their Adelaide services, Mr Cox said the return of Emirates, China Southern and Cathay Pacific remained a priority following their departure from Adelaide during the pandemic.

Emirates has announced plans to reinstate services in the middle of next year, and Mr Cox said he was hopeful China Southern would follow suit before the end of next year, followed by Cathay Pacific in early 2025.

He also said the airport was working with Qantas on options for the national carrier to reintroduce direct flights from Adelaide, 10 years since it axed its last direct service to Singapore.

“In terms of what everyone wants, which is that flying kangaroo red tail internationally, we know Qantas want to do that and we’re working with them on a number of opportunities,” he said.

“Qantas themselves have a number of new aircraft joining their fleet over the next three to five years and we’re looking to try to get our share of that flying to international destinations.

“What they’ve said in the public domain is that the type of aircraft that they’re getting in would fit quite well where some of our existing customers do fly already.

“So they’re looking at Auckland and Singapore as two places where they’ve got some mini international hubs that they currently are bringing a lot of people between Adelaide and Auckland and Adelaide and Singapore via Sydney and Melbourne.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has previously called on Qantas to reinstate the Singapore service, criticising the airline for its limited services from Adelaide.

“They’re looking to see how they could offer those services direct – they’re the most obvious opportunities.”

[dsriggs]

I can't find the words "train" or "tram" anywhere in these articles.

Must be a mistake!

[Ho Really]

Whether you're flying in Y or J, you won't notice any difference, it's exactly the same hard product. People say the A350 is quieter, but I've flown both many times and honestly cant tell the difference in noise.

If there is one major gripe it's the 787 config; more pax and less lavatories. Anyhow...it would've been nice to have both aircraft fly here just to give us variety.

Cheers

[ChillyPhilly]

I can't find the words "train" or "tram" anywhere in these articles.

Must be a mistake!

Same, which irritates me. This responsibility is also on the State Government, which is starting to fail in the public transport space.

[Saltwater]

Probably more aligned into the infrastructure / transport thread, but don't expect much to happen around any PT announcements including trams or rail until the NSM is done. Yes it sucks, but until the NSM is complete it will drag on the state's finances, and also make a mess of our existing road network during construction. At this point you could build a tram down SBD to the airport, and it could spend 10-15 minutes each trip waiting to get across South Road at Hilton.

[Pistol]

How far into the future are these images?
I love:
1. the design of the trucks they use (the future is now!) and
2. the projected Adelaide skyline.

I am assuming the image of the terminal is the completed expansion which, from memory, was going to undergo a staged expansion(?)