Freight volumes moving through Adelaide Airport have reached record levels, underpinned by a sustained expansion in international flight services and growing access to wide-body aircraft capacity.
The first release of Australian Bureau of Statistics export data for 2026 shows $351.1 million worth of goods were exported from South Australia via air freight over the past 12 months. This is more than double the lows recorded during the pandemic, when global aviation capacity was severely constrained.
The data points to strong momentum for high-value and time-sensitive exports, particularly seafood. South Australian lobster exports tripled year on year to a record $137.3 million, an increase of $95.0 million or 225 per cent. The uplift reflects improved access to direct international services and reduced reliance on multi-leg freight routes that increase transit time and risk for perishable goods.
Wide-body passenger aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner typically offer around 15 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity per flight. This capacity is increasingly critical for exporters of seafood, dairy and fresh produce, as well as higher-value manufactured and fashion goods.
South Australia’s Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs says the turnaround in air connectivity has required a sustained and coordinated effort. “When we came to Government, direct flights from Adelaide to the world had reached rock bottom,” Szakacs says. “We knew we had a monumental task ahead of us to recover what we had lost, and to expand beyond that.”
“So, it’s pleasing to see Adelaide Airport air freight and lobster exports surging to all-time highs,” he says. “These achievements don’t happen by accident. They are the result of consistent hard work undertaken by our Government and airport to provide our state’s incredible exporters with access to priority markets in which to sell their world-class products.”
Recent route expansions by United Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, alongside services from Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Emirates and the upcoming commencement of China Eastern Airlines, will lift the number of international carriers operating from Adelaide to 13.
For exporters, the increase in direct flights reduces transit times and handling risk. Ferguson Australia managing director Andrew Ferguson says expanded connectivity is critical for live seafood exports.
“As a business dependent on niche global markets for our highly perishable live product, expanded flight destinations from Adelaide significantly strengthen our export capabilities,” Ferguson says. “Minimising time between live tanking and delivery is critical. The new flight options becoming available from Adelaide are a game changer for our operations.”
