Adelaide welcomes first direct Newcastle flight with QantasLink

Picture: (L to R) Kin-Yat Lo (Qantas), Matthew Borger (Newcastle Airport), Jonathan Cheong (Adelaide Airport), Allan Sommerville (Qantas) and Nick Jones (SA Tourism Commission).

Adelaide Airport has welcomed the departure of QantasLink’s first direct flight from Adelaide to Newcastle (NSW) with the inaugural service due to depart at 12.10pm, Monday 28 March 2022.

QantasLink will operate three weekly return services on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the Embraer E190 regional jet aircraft.

Flights will initially depart Adelaide at 12.10pm and arrive in Newcastle at 2.45pm. The return service will depart Newcastle at 3.45pm and arrive at 5.30pm (note these times will change when daylight saving ends).

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said the airport had aspired for a Newcastle service for a long time.

“Newcastle has been one of Adelaide’s largest unserved markets. It is more important than ever that South Australia reconnects and we’re excited that QantasLink has seized the opportunity to connect the communities of Adelaide and Newcastle,” Mr Cox said.

“The service will benefit both business and leisure travellers. Adelaide and Newcastle share industry strengths – particularly in defence and wine. Newcastle is Australia’s second largest regional city and is a launch pad for passengers wanting to travel to and from the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and North Coast regions.

“South Australia and Adelaide Airport have had significant success recently in partnering with Qantas and QantasLink to launch new services with this Newcastle service adding to recent new Qantas flights to Townsville, Cairns and Hobart.”

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said he was confident the region will eagerly embrace this highly in-demand service.

“The Newcastle to Adelaide service couldn’t be happening at a better time. Our region has shown us phenomenal support during the ups and downs of the past two years, and passengers are returning to Newcastle Airport in 2022 with confidence,” Dr Cock said.

“Our region is made up of keen leisure travellers and with so much to see and do in Adelaide, this new service offers our community an exciting new holiday destination, especially as we head into the cooler months. This is complemented by the Hunter’s strong business connection with Adelaide, especially in the defence, wine and equine industries.

“Perhaps most importantly, after the challenges of recent years, this direct connection means people can reconnect with family and friends quicker and easier than ever before. I’m confident that strong demand from both states will see this route grow to a daily service sooner rather than later.”