The latest airline route news, featuring network changes, schedule alterations, codeshares and interline agreements.
Aug. 10
VietJet Air has confirmed plans to serve Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), launching a 2X-weekly service from Ho Chi Minh City to the new Australian gateway on Jan. 10, 2027. Flights will increase to 3X-weekly from March. The route will be operated with Airbus A330 aircraft configured with 377 seats. In addition, Thai VietJet plans to launch 4X-weekly Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Western Sydney route from November 2027, subject to regulatory approval. The Ho Chi Minh City flights are supported by the New South Wales Government's Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund. WSI commenced cargo operations on July 27, while passenger services will begin in October.
Flyadeal will expand its India network with the launch of 5X-weekly nonstop service between Riyadh and Mumbai from Oct. 3 using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The route will become the Saudi LCC’s second destination in the country after Hyderabad, which was launched in July, adding more than 7,400 monthly seats between Riyadh and Mumbai. Flights are scheduled to provide onward connections across Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam. The new service will compete with Air India, IndiGo, Riyadh Air, Saudia and flynas also operate the route, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data.
Cebu Pacific plans to grow its international network in the fourth quarter of 2026 with the launch and resumption of five routes across China, Vietnam and Japan. The LCC will resume 3X-weekly Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City service on Oct. 26, followed by new 3X-weekly Cebu-Shanghai Pudong flights from Nov. 17 and new 4X-weekly Cebu-Nagoya service from Nov. 19. It will also resume 3X-weekly Clark-Hanoi flights on Nov. 19 and 2X-weekly Manila-Xiamen service on Nov. 23. Cebu Pacific says it will be the only Philippine carrier operating the Cebu-Shanghai, Cebu-Nagoya and Clark-Hanoi routes.
Japan Airlines (JAL) will deepen its partnership with Malaysia Airlines by placing its code on the carrier's new Kuala Lumpur-Fukuoka service from Sep. 2. In addition, Malaysia Airlines will add its code to JAL domestic flights to and from Fukuoka, improving onward connectivity across Japan for international passengers. The expanded cooperation forms part of JAL's strategy to support inbound tourism and strengthen regional gateways as Japan targets 60 million international visitors annually by 2030.
Air Charter Scotland will continue operating the public service obligation network from Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC) after retaining its contract with The Highland Council. Under the renewed agreement, effective Aug. 15, 2026, to Aug. 14, 2027, the carrier will operate 1X-weekly return service between Wick and Aberdeen and introduce a new 3X-weekly return service between Wick and Glasgow. Flights will continue to be operated by AIS Airlines using 18-seat BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft. Air Charter Scotland says it has carried approximately 1,800 passengers on the Wick-Aberdeen route since assuming operations in January.
Related Content
