QantasLink Reaches New Heights in South Australia

QantasLink Expands Regional Travel in SA

Travellers in regional South Australia can expect increased seating and enhanced reliability, as Qantas has upgraded all regional routes from Adelaide to larger QantasLink turboprop aircraft.  

The addition of the larger Q400 aircraft to Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, and Kangaroo Island stemmed from the airline’s significant investment in 14 additional Q400s for its regional fleet, improving connectivity throughout regional Australia. Following this change, Qantas will have three Q400s operating in South Australia. 

Qantas operates over 50 round-trip flights between Adelaide and regional cities weekly, providing essential connections for locals, tourists, and business travellers. Currently, these services use smaller aircraft with 50 seats, which are gradually being phased out of Qantas’ fleet.  

The airline is revamping its beverage selection. Starting mid-March, eight new regional wines will be available on all QantasLink turboprop flights, six of which come from South Australian wineries such as Stonehaven, Pioneer Road, and Angove. 

QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said today marks a significant milestone for regional South Australia.  

“These larger aircraft will bring more seats, a faster flight time and improved reliability for South Australia and reaffirms our commitment to the regions,” said Ms Yangoyan.   

“This is the first time the 74-seat Q400 aircraft will be back to Adelaide in 10 years, and for the first time, to new destinations including Mount Gambier and Whyalla.  

“Improving the overall travel experience is important but so is investing in the communities that we serve.  

“The overhaul of our wine offering across our turboprop network to showcase six South Australian wines to over 3.5 million customers a year is great for local tourism and will grow our support for the local economy.” 

Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said: “Regional flights are the lifeblood of our country towns and cities.  

“The introduction of newer and larger aircraft on these routes by QantasLink is a significant win for our regional customers who rely on these services for work, attending appointments and catching up with friends and relatives, as well as benefiting our tourism sector.” 

South Australian Tourism Minister, Zoe Bettison said: “This is an exciting development for South Australia’s regional connectivity and tourism sector. The introduction of faster and larger aircraft on our regional routes will not only improve travel times but also increase capacity, making it easier for visitors to explore our beautiful regions.  

“We’re working closely with both airlines and Adelaide Airport to ensure South Australia remains at the forefront of aviation and tourism development. This aligns with our strategy to boost our visitor economy and showcase everything South Australia has to offer.” 

Qantas currently supports more than 870 jobs in South Australia, while Qantas Freight handles approximately 10 million kilograms of freight in and out of the region.  

Details of the first Q400 flights:  

Details on South Australian wines: