The latest airline route news, featuring network changes, schedule alterations, codeshares and interline agreements.
March 29
Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines has confirmed plans to launch a route to Seattle, the home of airline partner Alaska Airlines. The city will become Starlux’s third nonstop U.S. destination from Taipei alongside Los Angeles and San Francisco. Flights will start on Aug. 16, operating three times per week. “Starlux’s broadened transpacific routes reaffirm our dedication to expanding our U.S. network and to elevating the travel experience for our fast-growing customer base,” Starlux CEO Glenn Chai says. “As a key economic and technological hub, Seattle is also steeped in diverse cultural influences and home to a thriving Asian community.”
Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas has inaugurated flights to São José dos Campos Airport (SJK), becoming the 76th point in the airline’s network. Service from SJK to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão will be offered three times per week. The route returns to the carrier’s network for the first time since May 2008. “We are very proud to inaugurate today GOL's newest domestic destination, São José dos Campos, an important step for the Company in its regional expansion process, linking one of the most thriving municipalities in São Paulo to one of the main postcards of Brazil,” says Renata Fonseca, chief legal officer and executive director of institutional and government relations at GOL.
Jet2.com is launching flights between London Stansted Airport (STN) and Tivat, Montenegro, on April 1. The route will operate on Mondays and Thursdays through Oct. 28. Additionally, the airline is introducing flights from STN to Nice from May 3, offering two roundtrips per week until Nov. 1.
March 28
Norse Atlantic Airways is launching a new transatlantic route between London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Las Vegas. Flights will commence on Sept. 12, operating three times per week. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, British Airways will serve the Gatwick-Las Vegas market 5X-weekly using Boeing 777 aircraft during the summer 2024 season, with flights operating until late October. “Las Vegas is a popular leisure route and it’s fantastic to see direct flights return from September for the winter season, complementing existing summer services from London Gatwick,” says Stephanie Wear, LGW vice president for aviation development.
Omani carrier SalamAir is opening a new route to Albania’s capital Tirana. Flights will start on June 17, operating twice a week from Muscat. “This route not only improves our summer destination selection with the addition of Baku, Almaty and other destinations, but also provides our customers with a unique chance to experience the beauties of Albania,” says Ahmed Al-Shidhani, SalamAir acting CEO.
Condor has inaugurated flights between Frankfurt and Miami International Airport (MIA). The nonstop service will run three times per week using Airbus A330neo aircraft. Condor CEO Peter Gerber says: “The demand for our new nonstop out of MIA into the heart of Europe has been so strong that we are pleased to extend what was originally to be a seasonal route into a year-round operation. This provides both European-bound American travelers as well as German vacationers coming to South Florida with an affordable and convenient year-round flight that will also have a positive impact on the local Miami economy.”
Avelo is to become the first airline in more than a decade to offer scheduled service to Lakeland International Airport, located in central Florida. The LCC will offer two flights per week from Tweed-New Haven Airport in southern Connecticut from June 13. Service will be on Thursdays and Sundays using Boeing 737s.
March 27
Australian LCC Jetstar is opening a new domestic route connecting Melbourne Avalon Airport and Brisbane Airport. When daily flights start on June 28 the service will become the 100th domestic route in the airline’s network. “Creating a direct link between Avalon and Brisbane will provide even more options for Victorians wanting to travel to Queensland at an affordable price, as well as boost tourism to the beautiful Surf Coast region and surrounds,” Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully says.
Juneyao Air’s planned service between Shanghai and Manchester, England, will become the Chinese carrier’s only destination in the UK. The airline originally announced its intention to launch the route in 2019 but the proposals were delayed because of the pandemic. Flights will now begin on July 1, running three times per week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays using Boeing 787 aircraft. It is hoped that the service will open fresh trade and investment opportunities for businesses across the north of England, as well as stimulating tourism in both directions and student traffic.
U.S. carrier Breeze Airways has announced the launch of 11 new routes, including four from Fort Myers. The services will be operated using Airbus A220-300 equipment and increase the carrier's network to 56 destinations across 29 states. Five cities are new to Breeze’s network: Bangor, ME; Dallas Fort Worth, TX; Lancaster, PA; Lansing, MI; and Pensacola, FL.
Starlux Airlines is expanding its network in Vietnam with the addition of a fourth destination. Fights from Taiwan Taoyuan to Phu Quoc will commence on July 1 using Airbus A321neo aircraft. The city joins Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang in the airline’s network.
Indonesia’s Lion Air is opening a new service between Medan and Balikpapan from April 1. Flights will be operated daily using Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER equipment. “This launch is part of Lion Air's commitment to improve connectivity between regions in Indonesia, support the development of Ibu Kota Negara (IKN) and facilitate travel needs for people, tourists and businesspeople,” the carrier says in a statement.
March 26
UK leisure carrier Jet2.com is to open a new base at Bournemouth Airport, becoming the airline’s 12th in the country. Flights will commence from April 2025 to 16 vacation destinations in Europe. The inaugural service from the airport will depart to Tenerife on April 1, 2025. “This latest expansion is a further demonstration of our confidence, and it reflects our long-term strategy to be the UK's leading and best leisure travel business,” Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy says. The planned launch of the Bournemouth base comes as Jet2 will this week begin operating its first flights from Liverpool Airport.
Hainan Airlines has confirmed plans to resume flights to Seattle after a four-year hiatus. Service from Beijing Capital will restart on April 2, operating three times per week. Before the pandemic, the carrier transported approximately 200,000 visitors annually to Seattle. The airline says it is “optimistic about adding frequencies in the future” subject to the bilateral agreement on capacity increasing between the Chinese and U.S. governments.
U.S. startup New Pacific Airlines is ending its scheduled flight program to focus on charter operations. The carrier ceased operating its Ontario, California-Reno, Nevada, service on March 21 and will suspend Ontario-Nashville, Tennessee, flights on April 5. Both routes were served using Boeing 757-200 aircraft. New Pacific launched commercial operations in July 2023, initially flying between Ontario and Las Vegas.
Jetstar has launched a new domestic route connecting Sydney and Busselton Margaret River in Western Australia. The route will be offered three times per week using Airbus A320 aircraft. The launch of the new Sydney service comes just ahead of next month’s second anniversary of the LCC flying from Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River.
Australia’s Airnorth has launched a 3X-weekly Alice Springs-Perth service using Embraer E170 aircraft. The route is the first to connect the destinations nonstop since June 2022. The service has been supported by the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme, which seeks to improve aviation access and connectivity to the Northern Territory.
March 25
China Southern Airlines has scheduled the launch of a new route to Frankfurt. Service from Shenyang, the capital of China’s northeast Liaoning Province, will be offered once a week from April 24. Airbus A350-900 aircraft will be used on the route, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. Flights will be operated alongside China Southern’s existing Guangzhou-Frankfurt service, which will reduce in frequencies from 3X to 2X-weekly once the Shenyang flights begin. Additionally, the carrier has scheduled plans to resume a 2X-weekly Guangzhou-San Francisco service with Boeing 777-300ER equipment from April 6 following a four-year suspension and increase Guangzhou-Los Angeles from 4X to 5X-weekly from April 7.
Mexican ULCC Viva Aerobus has inaugurated a new route between Monterrey International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Operations will be 4X-weekly using Airbus A320-family aircraft. “We know there's a huge opportunity to increase tourism, trade and business opportunities between our two cities, while also connecting our communities and culture,” says Viva Aerobus CEO Juan Carlos Zuazua. “When arriving in Monterrey, travelers from the U.S. will also be able to enjoy direct connections to more than 10 of the most important cities in Mexico.” Viva Aerobus previously served AUS from 2008-9.
German leisure airline Condor has commenced service between Frankfurt and Miami. Flights will be offered three times per week using Airbus A330-900neo equipment. During the summer 2024 season, the carrier plans to fly to 18 destinations in North America, with new routes to Miami and Calgary, as well as frequency increases to Boston and Halifax, Canada.
Aeromexico has launched daily flights between Mexico City Juarez and Boston. The move sees the airline return to the Boston market for the first time since January 2019. Boeing 737-8 aircraft will be used on the route. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Aeromexico becomes the sole airline to operate nonstop service between the cities.
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