Adelaide Airport’s History

70 years of connecting South Australia to the world

Every journey starts somewhere. Adelaide Airport began in 1927 on the western plains of the city. What started as a modest airfield quickly became a place of possibility. Aviation was still young, but even then, it carried the promise of bringing people closer, opening opportunities and connecting South Australians to the wider world.

For more than seventy years, the site operated as the Commonwealth Government Aerodrome. It was where many locals saw an aircraft for the very first time. It was home to pioneering aviators, to defence operations during times of need, and to the steady growth of commercial travel. Those decades were about much more than aircraft and runways. They were about people who looked to the skies with ambition, who worked hard to turn the dream of flight into something real.

By 2005, Adelaide was ready for change. That year, we opened our new Terminal 1, bringing international, domestic and regional flights together under one roof. The terminal was designed to be modern, efficient and welcoming. It became a symbol of Adelaide’s confidence and the gateway to South Australia. Since opening, millions of people have passed through its halls. Each day it holds stories of connection, reunion, adventure and opportunity.

From those early years to today, Adelaide Airport has always been part of South Australia’s story. We’ve grown alongside our state, welcoming travellers, supporting communities and helping local businesses connect with the world. And just like the aviators who came before us, we are still imagining what comes next, building for the future and looking to the sky with ambition.