Emirates may resume flights to Adelaide as early as this weekend, while Qatar Airways is set to follow in June.
Aviation trade sites say Emirates has filed an interim schedule for May 1-15, resuming services to 16 international destinations after flights were halted when conflict broke out between the United States and Iran.
They say the restored routes will include Adelaide as well as Brisbane, as services return to more than three-quarters of its pre-conflict schedule.
While no formal announcement has been made, in response to inquiries by The Advertiser Emirates released a statement saying it hoped to resume Adelaide services in May.
“Emirates is working to restore its network and has resumed around 65 per cent of its weekly flight frequencies,” it states.
“In Australia, Emirates has yet to fully reintroduce its passenger operations. Currently, Emirates operates one daily passenger flight to each of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
“Emirates hopes to resume services to Adelaide and Brisbane effective May 1. We will confirm this as soon as possible.”
Emirates now is serving 87 per cent of the countries in its network, with 65 out of 75 countries currently operated.
The AeroRoutes site which tracks international airline schedules and routes reports the airline has filed an interim schedule for May 1-15.
It states this includes three Dubai-Adelaide flights effective from May 2 using the new generation A350.
In December, Adelaide became the first city in the world to be serviced by Emirates’ new long-range A350-LR aircraft on the Dubai route.
The giant aircraft accommodating 298 passengers, which comes with a premium economy cabin, has the lure of less jet lag and a quieter flight thanks to a host of new generation improvements.
Amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, Qatar Airways will resume daily Adelaide-Doha services from June 16, a month after it restarts services to Brisbane.
The updated flight schedule will run through to September 15 with further changes dependent on global conditions.
Despite challenges from the US-Iran conflict, the airline is expanding its international flight network with services to more than 150 destinations by mid-May.
Airline officials say all flights to and from Doha continue to operate through dedicated flight corridors established in close co-ordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
“Please note: Flight schedules are subject to change or cancellation due to operational, regulatory, safety, or other circumstances beyond our control,” a statement notes.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
The impending return of both airlines will be a major boost to exporters including for seafood, beef, lamb and wine.