If you’re a wine lover then you probably know that South Australia is New Zealand’s closest wine mecca. The region produces 50% of all bottled and 80% of premium Australian wines.
Getting there just got that bit easier with Air New Zealand recommencing direct flights from Auckland to Adelaide this week.
This from South Australia Tourism:
Air NZ direct flights boost to South Australia
South Australia’s tourism industry is set to be bolstered with a surge in the number of international flights into Adelaide, helping bring more visitors from some of the state’s key markets in time for the school holidays.
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission: Tasting Australia, Kangaroo Island
The first Air New Zealand flight in 11 months arrives in Adelaide from Auckland this morning, restarting the airline’s direct flights from South Australia’s once $45 million Kiwi market.
Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison MP said it showed how important South Australia is as a destination for Kiwis.
“The South Australian Tourism Commission has worked hard to make sure South Australia remains top of mind for Kiwis wanting a holiday. Nearly 50,000 Kiwis have visited southaustralia.com since the SATC’s brand campaign launched on 13 March 2022, up 80 per cent on the same period last year.
“Total visitor expenditure in our state in March 2022 reached 84 per cent of pre pandemic levels, which was a great result for our post-COVID recovery.
“With the return of direct flights from Air New Zealand, we can now welcome even more of our friends from across the ditch, tempt them with our great wineries, vast outback, beaches and the Murray River.”
“We look forward to showing them around more of SA. “
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said it was great to see the return of Air New Zealand as people rediscovered the joy of exploring the world.
“We know there is significant pent-up demand for South Australians wanting to head overseas again as well as visitors coming to our State, and Air New Zealand has recognised the strength of our market,” Mr Cox said.
“Flights will arrive in Adelaide late morning and depart around lunchtime, so they are very family-friendly timeslots.”
Adelaide Airport has reinforced its message to travellers to arrive up to two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international flights for what will be an extremely busy period.
Credit: Safari Global: Hardys Wines, Fleurieu Peninsula
“Our security and customer care teams will be at full capacity to help facilitate customers from kerb to gate - we anticipate that check-in and security queues will be longer than people may have been previously used to,” Mr Cox said.
“We thank our customers in advance for their patience, understanding and kindness.”
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty said: “We’re thrilled to be restarting our Adelaide to Auckland direct services once again. With services running three to four times a week, we look forward to welcoming South Australians back into Aotearoa and know New Zealanders will be excited to get back over to Adelaide to soak up all the beautiful city has to offer.”