Qantas puts the brakes on
A report in the Adelaide Advertiser by Melvin Mansell says that it is a matter of concern that, according to the chief executive of the South Australian Tourist Commission, Andrew McEvoy, Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, is hampering SA’s bid to win a greater slice of the international tourist market.
Mr McEvoy says Adelaide has the most under-serviced airport of any capital city in Australia and that SA needs more international access.
He has been backed by the trade development manager of Tourism Australia, Matt Cameron-Smith, who says more flights are a critical factor in boosting international tourism.
Adelaide has 26 direct international flights a week, compared with 80 in Perth and more than 100 in Brisbane.
Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand each has more direct flights in and out of Adelaide than Qantas.
Clearly, without an increase in international flights, Adelaide is missing opportunities to be the port of first choice or the final departure point for visitors returning overseas.
Qantas may argue that there is only limited demand for direct flights – but why do four other carriers find Adelaide a satisfactory direct flight destination?
There is a case for SA’s federal MPs and the State Government to lobby for increased direct flights by Qantas in and out of Adelaide.
But in the meantime, Mr McEvoy has taken the unusual step of urging tourism operators to consider using airlines that fly to Adelaide on a daily basis.
Which appears to be a thinly disguised call to boycott Qantas in favour of overseas airlines.
A trend moving the right way?
A Report by The Mole from the Adelaide Advertiser.
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports