The latest airline route news, featuring network changes, schedule alterations, codeshares and interline agreements.
May 5
ITA Airways has launched nonstop service between Rome Fiumicino and Houston George Bush Intercontinental. The route expands the carrier’s North American network to nine destinations. Flights will initially be 3X-weekly using Airbus A330-900 aircraft. “Houston is a key addition for our airline, representing a further growth in our long haul-network, on which we intend to build our future development,” says Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways. “The new service opens up more of Italy to Houstonians and the wider Gulf Coast region, providing a direct gateway to Rome and onward connections across Italy and Europe.”
Euroairlines has signed an interline agreement with Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines, expanding both carriers’ reach across Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. The move allows passengers to combine flights from both carriers on a single itinerary. “This agreement allows us to offer our customers more destinations and greater travel options to Asia, one of the most dynamic markets in the world,” says Antonio López-Lázaro, CEO of Euroairlines.
Southwest Airlines plans to expand service at Las Vegas and Orlando following the collapse of Spirit Airlines, adding new routes and more frequencies through spring 2027. The LCC says Las Vegas will gain new service to 10 airports, while it plans to introduce or expand service on 26 of the 81 routes it operates to and from Las Vegas. Frequencies will also increase on 15 existing routes, pushing the airport to a record number of daily departures. In Orlando, Southwest says it will roll out its largest-ever schedule later this year, with new or expanded service on 23 of 68 routes and additional frequencies on 17 existing markets. By 2027, the carrier expects to operate more than 200 daily departures from Orlando International Airport.
Air Serbia has commenced flights between Belgrade and Baku, Azerbaijan. The new service operates twice a week. Flights depart Belgrade on Wednesdays and Sundays, with return services from Baku on Thursdays and Sundays. “By introducing a direct service between Belgrade and Baku, Air Serbia is not only expanding its network of destinations, but also establishing another key bridge in the strategic partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan,” says Jiří Marek, CEO of Air Serbia. “This route is a direct response to the growing need for stronger connectivity between the Balkans and the Caucasus region, which will strengthen Belgrade’s position as a regional transport hub of Southeast Europe.”
May 4
Qatar Airways will resume passenger services to three Iraqi cities from May 10, restoring flights to Baghdad, Basra and Erbil as part of its phased regional network rebuild. In parallel, the airline will also reintroduce freighter services to Baghdad from May 7, supporting cargo demand alongside the passenger relaunch. The resumptions follow Qatar Airways’ recent restoration of services to Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Damascus and Kozhikode, as the carrier continues rebuilding connectivity following disruption in recent months due to the Middle East crisis.
Avianca plans to boost its U.S. network with additional frequencies on three routes, subject to government approval. The expansion would add a second daily flight on Bogota-Fort Lauderdale, increase Barranquilla-Miami from 3X-weekly to daily and make Medellín-Orlando a permanent daily service.
EasyJet has expanded its Birmingham, England, operation with the arrival of a sixth based aircraft. The additional Airbus A320 strengthens the LCC’s Birmingham base, where the airline now serves 44 routes and is set to operate its largest-ever summer schedule from the airport. The expansion coincides with the launch of a new Birmingham-Nice service, which will run twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.
Condor has launched service to Venice Marco Polo Airport, expanding its Italian network from Frankfurt. The new route operates 3X-daily and complements the airline’s year-round service to Milan Malpensa and resumed summer flights to Rome Fiumicino. “With the addition of flights from Venice, we are providing Italian travelers with even more options to reach key destinations around the world,” says David Carlisle, vice president for network planning and partnerships at Condor.
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