Cathay Pacific will permanently add a fifth weekly flight to its Adelaide service starting July 5, turning the currently seasonal extra flight into a year-round additional flight.

The new flight will depart Hong Kong on Wednesday with the return leg leaving Adelaide on Thursday. CX173 currently flies from Hong Kong on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, while CX174 departs from Adelaide on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The service is operated by an Airbus A330-300.

According to Adelaide Airport, the additional flight is expected to increase the airline’s capacity on the route by 25 per cent, bringing it to 2,500 seats per week. Cathay Pacific began flying to Adelaide more than two decades ago.

Speaking about the expanded frequency, Nelson Chin, general manager, Cathay Pacific Airways South Pacific, said: “We’ve not only seen increased numbers of tourists into Adelaide from mainland China, but also South Australians taking advantage of the one-stop connections via our Hong Kong hub.”

South Australia has experienced significant tourism growth over the past year, with its visitor economy currently at an all-time high of A$6.2 billion (US$4.74 billion), according to Leon Bignell, Minister for Tourism.

Details of the new flights are as follows (all times local):

Flight No. From To Departs Arrives Days
CX173 Hong Kong Adelaide 1900 0510+1 Tue, Wed*, Thu, Sat, Sun
CX174 Adelaide Hong Kong 625 1345 Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun

*The new Wednesday service will depart Hong Kong five minutes earlier at 1855.

cathaypacific.com