News & Discussion: Adelaide Airport & Airlines

[bm7500]

I noticed a travel ad in the Sunday mail that Etihad have some flights out of Adelaide. Excuse my ignorance but I had no idea Etihad had entered the SA market?

There are no direct services by Etihad out of Adelaide. All of these flights are operated by Qantas to either Melbourne or Sydney and then Etihad from there on.

[bm7500]

There is a special China Southern charter flight coming to Adelaide in mid February.

Adelaide Airport Limited are advertising a special one way fair from Adelaide to Shenzhen China. See below.

[bm7500]

For those of you interested, there is expected to be a Russian Antonov AN-124 cargo jet arriving here tomorrow, late morning. It should stay a couple of hours and then depart. As with all cargo aircraft (and especially Russian ones) this is always subject to change.

The AN-124 is about the third largest aircraft in the world after the AN-225, A380 and is around the same size as a USAF C-5 Galaxy.

This will be the second An-124 here this week.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-124

[rogue]

I got a glimpse as it was coming into land from the north east at about 1130 yesterday.

[muzzamo]

For those of you interested, there is expected to be a Russian Antonov AN-124 cargo jet arriving here tomorrow, late morning. It should stay a couple of hours and then depart. As with all cargo aircraft (and especially Russian ones) this is always subject to change.

The AN-124 is about the third largest aircraft in the world after the AN-225, A380 and is around the same size as a USAF C-5 Galaxy.

This will be the second An-124 here this week.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-124

What was it here for?

[bm7500]

For those of you interested, there is expected to be a Russian Antonov AN-124 cargo jet arriving here tomorrow, late morning. It should stay a couple of hours and then depart. As with all cargo aircraft (and especially Russian ones) this is always subject to change.

The AN-124 is about the third largest aircraft in the world after the AN-225, A380 and is around the same size as a USAF C-5 Galaxy.

This will be the second An-124 here this week.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-124

What was it here for?

I believe they were here to drop off some large machinery for the mines up North.

[Splashmo]

The Advertiser reports that Etihad is in talks with Adelaide Airport following a decision to allow foreign carriers to fly to the big four via regional airports like Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Cairns.

[rogue]

FIRST DIRECT FLIGHT FROM CHINA ARRIVES IN ADELAIDE

The first direct passenger flight from China arrived in Adelaide today, providing a non-stop air linkinto South Australia from the world’s most populous nation.

The flight arrival has been welcomed by Adelaide Airport (AAL), the Department of Trade andEconomic Development and the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), who are working together to increase flight and passenger numbers into Adelaide from key domestic and international destinations.

SATC Acting Chief Executive, Jo Podoliak, said the China Southern Airlines flight was an important first step in opening up South Australia as a holiday destination for travellers from the massive Chinese market.

“Our expectation is that this charter from Shenzhen will be the first in a series of such flights from China as we work to build Adelaide and South Australia as a recognised destination for Chinese holiday makers,” Ms Podoliak said.

“China has now overtaken Japan as Asia’s largest source of visitors to South Australia, and we expect this growth to continue.

“Nationally, China is the fifth largest international source of visitors, but only accounts for 3% of international visitors to South Australia: With direct flights, we will see our State’s market share rise.

“Chinese visitors are vital to our future growth because they provide us with the highest total tourism expenditure of all international source countries.”

Adelaide Airport Ltd Managing Director, Phil Baker, said the China Southern charter flight provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the airport’s facilities and easy access to the city and attractions.

"This is the first time a China-based commercial flight, charter or otherwise, has visited Adelaide. China has a rapidly growing aviation market, and China Southern Airlines is the country’s largest carrier,” Mr Baker said.

“China Southern has two major hubs - at Beijing and the brand new Baiyun International Airport at Guangzhou. The airline has 342 aircraft serving 841 cities in 162 countries, and is ranked as the 4th largest airline in the world.

“Clearly we see significant potential in attracting China Southern to Adelaide, which will create inbound tourism and business opportunities as well as opening up new connections into China and on to Asian and European destinations.

“Charter flights such as this are a real stepping stone in building recognition of South Australia among Chinese consumers and helping us develop a compelling business case for regular scheduled services.”

Seats into Adelaide on today’s China Southern Airlines charter flight have been sold and marketed by Chinese travel company BCTS, which specialises in travel to Australia.

The South Australian Tourism Plan 2009-14 aims to increase the number of weekly international seats in to Adelaide to 10,000 by 2014, an increase from 2,800 in 2003.

http://www.aal.com.au/lib/pdf/1stChinaCharter02_10.pdf

[AtD]

Nice to see AAL still recognises British sovereignty over Hong Kong.

[Ho Really]

Anyone know why a Singapore Airlines flight left Adelaide approximately 9:15 this morning? It didn't look like it was headed to Singapore as it went straight on, I assume to Sydney. This was a couple of minutes after the scheduled Qantas A330 to Melbourne (SIN-ADL-MEL). I doubt it was a freighter as it looked like an A333. Their regular daily flight from/to Singapore arrived on time and was at the terminal as I logged on.

Cheers

How do you know what direction it took?

Must have been a transfer or charter? They don't have scheduled flights that early.

Sorry for the very late reply monotonehell, only been back on the site today. How do I know the direction it took? Well, I know it took an approximate East-North-East route (basically straight on in the same direction they land when coming from Sydney). I followed it as far as I could see it and it didn't corner in either direction. Usually if they go to Singapore (or Kuala Lumpur for MAS) they veer to North-North-West / North-West after they reach somewhere past Vale Park (or Klemzig or thereabouts). I can see this very clearly from where I live at Norwood. When I get a chance I always pop out to see the bigger jets, especially Cathay Pacific when it passes just south of the house on its way to Melbourne. I pull out the binoculars and checkout how close they fly to the CBD and whether they have any special livery (which doesn't happen that often).

Maybe it was a charter. Was hoping someone here would know. Anyway no big deal...

Cheers

[Ho Really]

The Advertiser reports that Etihad is in talks with Adelaide Airport following a decision to allow foreign carriers to fly to the big four via regional airports like Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Cairns.

We could get three new airlines...

More Adelaide flights clear for takeoff
Brad Crouch
Sunday Mail, February 14, 2010

ADELAIDE is poised to gain at least one and possible three new airline services, with Middle East carriers Etihad, Emirates and Air Arabia being granted new services to Australia on the understanding they fly via a "regional" airport such as Adelaide.

The Federal Government and United Arab Emirates have signed a new air services agreement, paving the way for new international flights.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreement would be an economic bonanza for centres such as Adelaide by boosting tourism.

"Under the arrangements, airlines such as Emirates and Etihad can operate up to an additional seven services a week into Australia's major airports, provided they go via a regional centre such as Darwin or Adelaide," he said.

Adelaide Airport spokesman John McArdle welcomed the agreement and said the airport had been in negotiation with Etihad.

Cheers

[rogue]

Just to let everyone know, the final version of the AAL Master Plan is now available. http://www.aal.com.au/corporate/planning.aspx

[muzzamo]

It was announced today that tiger are dropping the Adelaide to Alice Springs route.

[Maximus]

Noticed in the paper today that the main runway will be closed this coming week during curfew hours for "urgent maintenance ahead of essential re-surfacing works scheduled for later in the year".

I think the Sing. Airlines freighter sometimes lands during the curfew period, no? Does anyone know if the cross runway would be viable for it to land?

[bm7500]

Noticed in the paper today that the main runway will be closed this coming week during curfew hours for "urgent maintenance ahead of essential re-surfacing works scheduled for later in the year".

I think the Sing. Airlines freighter sometimes lands during the curfew period, no? Does anyone know if the cross runway would be viable for it to land?

No commercial or large freighter flights use the airport within curfew hours unless its an emergency. The RFDS and some small freighter aircraft do have permisison to come and go during this time. There shouldnt be any issues using the cross runway as long as the speed of any cross wind does not exceed the safe limits of the operating aircraft.