Cathay Pacific late Tuesday operated flight CX173 to Adelaide, formally restarting non-stop service between Hong Kong and South Australia after a four-year pause. The Airbus A350 departed Hong Kong at 23:30, opening a thrice-weekly seasonal schedule through 27 March 2026.
The route’s resumption caps Cathay’s Southwest Pacific rebuild, bringing its regional network back to eight destinations and adding an estimated HK$180 million in annual passenger and cargo revenue. For exporters, the A350’s belly space complements Cathay Cargo’s twice-weekly freighters, offering faster cold-chain options for South Australian seafood bound for mainland China.
![Cathay Pacific launches inaugural Adelaide service, restoring pre-COVID link]()
From a mobility standpoint, Adelaide residents regain one-stop connections to 100-plus cities via Hong Kong, including same-terminal transfers to Europe and North America. Corporations with operations in Australia’s defence and renewable-energy sectors—both concentrated in Adelaide—now have a direct link to headquarters in Asia.
The launch aligns with Hong Kong’s “super-connector” strategy: South Australia’s tourism board projects HK$130 million in new visitor spending, while Cathay executives say advance bookings exceed 80 % load factors for December. Should demand hold, the carrier may convert the seasonal service to year-round in 2026.
The route’s resumption caps Cathay’s Southwest Pacific rebuild, bringing its regional network back to eight destinations and adding an estimated HK$180 million in annual passenger and cargo revenue. For exporters, the A350’s belly space complements Cathay Cargo’s twice-weekly freighters, offering faster cold-chain options for South Australian seafood bound for mainland China.
From a mobility standpoint, Adelaide residents regain one-stop connections to 100-plus cities via Hong Kong, including same-terminal transfers to Europe and North America. Corporations with operations in Australia’s defence and renewable-energy sectors—both concentrated in Adelaide—now have a direct link to headquarters in Asia.
The launch aligns with Hong Kong’s “super-connector” strategy: South Australia’s tourism board projects HK$130 million in new visitor spending, while Cathay executives say advance bookings exceed 80 % load factors for December. Should demand hold, the carrier may convert the seasonal service to year-round in 2026.
