QantasLink launches first direct service from Adelaide to Newcastle

Adelaide Airport has welcomed the departure of QantasLink’s first direct flight from Adelaide to Newcastle (NSW). QantasLink will operate three weekly return services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with the Embraer E190.

“Newcastle has been one of Adelaide’s largest unserved markets,” said Brenton Cox, Managing Director, Adelaide Airport. “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. 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.”

Adelaide Airport celebrated the Newcastle route with a spectacular cake. The creative inspiration for the launch cake was based on Newcastle being one of the largest coal exporters (around the wine barrel), with the fresh grapes on top of the wine barrel representing the similar synergies between the two catchments (wine).

Attendees at the launch event included:

• Allan Sommerville, Qantas Regional Manager South Australia and Northern Territory
• Kin-Yat Lo, Qantas Manager Network Planning
• Brenton Cox, Adelaide Airport Managing Director
• Jonathan Cheong, Adelaide Airport Head of Aviation Business Development
• Tiffany Truong, Adelaide Airport Aviation Business Development
• Matthew Borger, Newcastle Airport Aviation Business Development Manager
• Nick Jones, South Australian Tourism Commission Executive Director Destination Development
• Mark Gill, South Australian Tourism Commission Manager Access Development

Newcastle Airport confident route will grow to daily service

Newcastle Airport also celebrated with a stunning route launch cake.

“The Newcastle to Adelaide service couldn’t be happening at a better time,” said Dr Peter Cock, CEO Newcastle Airport. “Our region and its people have shown amazing resilience during the ups and downs of the past two years and it’s great to be able to continue to serve the region as passengers are returning to Newcastle Airport in 2022. Our region includes many 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. Best of all we get to reconnect people with family and friends quicker and easier than ever before, and that’s so important after the challenges of recent years. With the continuing support of the region I’m confident this route will grow to a daily service sooner rather than later.”