Australian airline Qantas has announced that it will use larger QantasLink Q400 turboprop aircraft on all routes from Adelaide (ADL).
“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,” QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said in a statement published on February 17, 2025.
The airline said the introduction of the Q400 aircraft to Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Mount Gambier and Kangaroo Island is due to the airline’s investment in 14 additional Q400s for its regional fleet, aimed at improving connections in regional Australia. Once the transition is complete, Qantas will have three Q400s based in South Australia.
“This is an exciting development for South Australia’s regional connectivity and tourism sector,” said South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison. “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 regions.”
Qantas currently operates more than 50 return flights per week between Adelaide and the regional cities. These flights are operated by smaller Q300 aircraft which have 50 seats. These older aircraft are being gradually retired from Qantas’ fleet, the airline added.
Additionally, the airline is updating its beverage selection. Starting in mid-March 2025, eight new regional wines will be available on all QantasLink turboprop flights. Six of these wines will be sourced from South Australian wineries like Stonehaven, Pioneer Road and Angove.
Qantas’ operation in South Australia supports over 870 jobs, and Qantas Freight handles around 10 million kilograms of freight in and out of the region.
