Air New Zealand's first flight from Adelaide lands in Christchurch this afternoon.
The new twice-weekly service adds more than 15-thousand seats across the summer season - until the end of March.
Christchurch and Adelaide have been sister cities for more than 50 years, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen ties in 2022.
Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson says the new route strengthens the airport's growing network.
