Adelaide secures global airline summit in 2026 & 2028

In a testament to South Australia's growing reputation as a strategic aviation and business events destination, the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific will be hosted in Adelaide in 2026 and 2028.

The two-day summit will bring hundreds of aviation industry leaders and key decision makers from across the Asia Pacific to the State to explore the key strategic issues facing airlines, airports, and the wider travel industry in the region.

The announcement was made today at the 2025 summit in Cairns with representatives from the South Australian Tourism Commission, Adelaide Airport Limited, and Business Events Adelaide.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation (CAPA), part of Aviation Week Network, is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services covering worldwide developments.

The summit will bring together strategic insight and expertise from the highest levels of the aviation, tourism and hospitality industries. Attendees of past editions include major airlines and airports, global travel industry suppliers, international technology firms, high level government officials across multiple sectors, leasing firms, finance companies and more.

South Australia last held the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in 2022, which attracted hundreds of senior airline executives, airports, state and national tourism organisations, corporate travel executives and suppliers.

Securing the leading aviation event comes as more international airlines are committed to flying into South Australia than ever before, including all international airlines operating prior to COVID, as well as new airlines.

New routes strengthening the State's aviation access include the first direct USA to SA service, with United Airlines operating a San Fransico to Adelaide flight and Air New Zealand commencing the first Christchurch to Adelaide route - both commencing from October 2025.

International airlines flying to Adelaide:

• Indonesia AirAsia: Denpasar - Adelaide

• Air New Zealand: Auckland - Adelaide

• Air New Zealand: Christchurch - Adelaide (starting October 2025, seasonal)

• United Airlines: San Francisco - Adelaide (starting December 2025, seasonal)

• Qatar Airways: Doha - Adelaide

• Singapore Airlines: Singapore - Adelaide

• Malaysia Airlines: Kuala Lumpur - Adelaide

• Fiji Airways: Nadi - Adelaide

• Jetstar: Denpasar - Adelaide

• China Southern Airlines: Guangzhou - Adelaide (returning December 2025, seasonal)

• Emirates: Dubai - Adelaide

• Qantas: Auckland - Adelaide (starting October, seasonal)

• Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong - Adelaide (from November, seasonal)

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said:

"Locking in the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific for not one, but two years, is a huge coup for South Australia, and a reflection of our global reputation as an industry leader in this important sector.

The Summit put South Australia at the forefront of the minds of key aviation decision makers, benefiting the many industries and jobs that rely on strong airline access, particularly for tourism, international education, trade, defence, and resources.

I have no doubt the hundreds of aviation leaders will be impressed by our welcoming hospitality and diverse tourism offerings, and be inspired to tell the world that South Australia is worth investing in."

CAPA - Centre for Aviation Events Director Claudia Kunz said:

"We are delighted to announce Adelaide as our host city for the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific in both 2026 and 2028. Following the tremendous success of our 2022 summit in Adelaide, this strategic partnership reflects our confidence in Adelaide's growing significance as an aviation hub and its exceptional capabilities in hosting world-class business events.

The city's combination of outstanding infrastructure, accessibility, and vibrant culture makes it the perfect backdrop for the high-level industry discussions that define our summits.

We look forward to bringing hundreds of global aviation and tourism leaders to South Australia, where they'll experience firsthand the innovation and hospitality that Adelaide offers. This multi-year commitment underscores CAPA's dedication to fostering meaningful industry connections in destinations that represent the future of aviation in our region.

The CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific typically attracts more than 350 delegates, including C-suite executives from major airlines, airports, and tourism bodies across the globe. The event combines industry presentations, keynotes, high-level interviews, and panel discussions examining critical issues shaping the future of aviation and tourism."

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About CAPA - Centre for Aviation

CAPA - Centre for Aviation (CAPA), part of Aviation Week Network, is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services covering worldwide developments. Established in 1990, CAPA's platforms help the aviation sector and supplier businesses stay informed, remain connected to industry leaders and fuel inspiration to drive change. CAPA's global C-level and corporate travel in-person and virtual Summits and Masterclasses attract executive level speakers, attendees and leading stakeholders of the global commercial aviation industry. Understanding aviation markets is our great strength and passion, along with providing CAPA members, clients and partners with an unparalleled level of expertise and insight. For more information and details on membership and events, please visit centreforaviation.com.

About Aviation Week Network:

Aviation Week Network, the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defence industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world, is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC. Aviation Week Network's portfolio of air transport solutions includes the leading brands of Air Transport World (ATW), Airport Strategy & Marketing (ASM), Aviation Daily, CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Routes and Aviation Week's intelligence and fleet data services. The air transport portfolio delivers face-to-face connections, essential news, analysis, business intelligence and data across multiple platforms while producing innovative and impactful marketing programs. For more information visit aviationweek.com.

About Informa Markets:

Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Karolina Rodriguez
Senior Marketing Manager
CAPA - Centre for Aviation
Email: krodriguez@centreforaviation.com