Forget Mad March. Adelaide Airport is now gearing up for what is anticipated to be an Awesome April with passenger numbers expected to be the highest in three years and almost back to pre-COVID levels.
A combination of Easter, school holidays, AFL Gather Round, LIV Golf and the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, is expected to push passenger numbers close to 30,000 per day throughout most of April.
The current forecast for the busiest day is Friday, April 14th with 34,000 passengers expected through the airport.
Over the past year, Adelaide Airport has recorded the fastest recovery back to pre-COVID passenger numbers of all capital city airports.
Domestic passenger numbers are sitting well above 90 per cent of where they were pre-COVID while international numbers continue to recover and are currently sitting at about 70 per cent.
Latest statistics show that:
- Seven international airlines currently operate 53 flights each week to Adelaide (compared to 45 pre COVID).
- International flights are operating at 118 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
- Domestic flights are operating at 114 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
- Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Rex are operating a total of 523 domestic flights to Adelaide per week equating to 82,727 seats.
- Airline seat capacity is 105 per cent of pre-COVID levels at the same time in 2019.
Just in March Adelaide Airport welcomed the brand-new Plaza Premium International Lounge, which can be accessed by all departing international passengers, while the new Hills Kitchen and Bar opened last week in the international departures precinct.
Adelaide Airport will have a range of exciting activities and opportunities during the school holidays:
- Easter Bunny will be handing out chocolate eggs on Thursday 6 April and Easter Sunday 9 April, from 10am to 1pm each day.
- AFL Gather Round (April 13-16) will be celebrated with a range of activations and giveaways. With thanks to Virgin Australia, the official airline of the AFL, customers can have their photo taken with the AFL Grand Final Trophy at the following times:
- Wednesday 12 April: 11am-3pm
- Thursday 13 April: 8am – 12pm
- Friday 14 April: 8am – 12pm
- Saturday 15 April: 8am -12pm
- Sunday 16 April: 3pm – 7pm
- LIV Golf players, teams and spectators will be welcomed to Adelaide from April 21-23 with a range of activations and displays in the lead-up to the tournament.
- Facilities dog Elmo will be out and about every Thursday from 9:30am to 3:30pm and every Wednesday from 8am to 2pm (starting 12 April). Elmo can still be booked by customers seeking additional assistance Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
- Customers who spend $50 at a participating specialty retail store or $20 at a participating food and beverage outlet can enter for their chance to win two tickets to a sold-out extravagant day trip to Kangaroo Island with Tasting Australia Airlines. *T&Cs apply.
Adelaide Airport continues to assess long-term solutions to further expand security and check-in infrastructure and would update customers as these plans evolve.
Quotes
Attributable to Zoe Bettison
Easter long weekend is around the corner, and we are really excited to be welcoming families back in South Australia for what is traditionally one of the busiest times of year.
We have already had an incredible response to our state's two new major events, the first AFL Gather Round to ever be held and the first LIV Golf tournament to our nation's shores, as well as the Adelaide Equestrian Festival with tickets selling out almost as quickly as they're released.
We are working closely with the Adelaide Airport to ensure every visitor has a positive and unforgettable experience while visiting our beautiful State, starting from our airport.
Easter long weekend and school holidays, the first AFL Gather Round, The Adelaide Equestrian Festival, and the first LIV Golf will make this April one to remember bringing life in tens of thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas and will contribute tremendously to the recovery of our state's economy.
Attributable to Dermot O'Neill, Executive General Manager People, Culture & Customer, Adelaide Airport
Adelaide Airport was well prepared for the influx of passengers following the addition of a seventh security lane in December 2022 and an extensive recruitment campaign over the past year, particularly for security and retail staff.
It's fantastic to see so many people back flying again.
We've added a seventh security lane at the end of 2022, which certainly made a difference through the Christmas New Year period, and we're a lot better resourced compared with the same time last year.
We'll also have our Customer Care team in their bright pink vests out and about as well as our Airport Ambassadors to assist travellers with any queries.
It is still going to be extremely busy at the airport with the combination of Easter, school holidays and major events, so we recommend passengers arrive 90 minutes before a domestic flight and at least 2½ hours before an international flight.
During April the terminal will also open from 3:45am for those keen to beat the busy early morning peak.
Customers should plan ahead and with a bit of patience and understanding around staff and fellow travellers, we can get everyone on board safely and off on their holidays.
