<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Adelaide has been given access to more international connections after the first ever direct flight between the South Australian capital and Christchurch landed today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The inaugural flight, operated by Air New Zealand, touched down this morning, marking the beginning of a seasonal service expected to increase travel options for South Australians.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The new route will operate two weekly return flights between Adelaide and Christchurch until March of next year, providing 15,000 seats. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/city-sydney-council-new-planning-controls-no-gas-appliances/23c7918e-2bea-42b4-bbc4-8465818b2df8" target="_blank"><strong><span>Gas to be outlawed in Australia's biggest city</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is now our shortest international flight, four hours 15 minutes, it's very easy," Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While Kiwis appear to be keen on visiting South Australia, the airline is anticipating strong demand for travel to New Zealand's South Island. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The general attractiveness of adventure in the South Island is something we see a really strong demand from the South Australian market for," Scott Smith from Air New Zealand said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/air-new-zealand-first-adelaide-christchurch-flight/a119fe8d-39ce-42f1-aafd-766fea02a19a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Airport authorities hope the Christchurch service will become a year-round offering, as long as the route is popular during the initial five-month period. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's a really strong peak in our summer months, and then a very strong peak again in the winter months for skiing, so the key for us is to build up these peaks," Cox said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In addition to the new Christchurch service, Qantas is scheduled to commence direct flights between Adelaide and Auckland.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More international carriers are also on the way, with direct flights launching soon to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific and San Francisco with United.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of </span></em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>