Oct. 5
Air Astana will launch nonstop service between Almaty and Tokyo Narita on Nov. 30, marking the carrier’s first route to Japan. Flights will operate 2X-weekly using Airbus A321LR aircraft, subject to government approval. Almaty-Tokyo flights will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays, with return services on Tuesdays and Fridays. The route will be operated in codeshare with Japan Airlines, building on the existing partnership between the two carriers. Air Astana said Tokyo will be its 22nd new route launched during 2026 and forms part of its strategy to strengthen Almaty’s role as a connecting hub for Central Asia and the Caucasus.
WestJet will suspend three transatlantic routes for the summer 2027 season, removing services from Halifax to Copenhagen and Madrid and from Toronto Pearson to Glasgow. A statement to Aviation Week says: “WestJet continuously evaluates its network to best serve our guests and communities. We will share any updates to our summer 2027 schedule as they are confirmed. These suspensions are due to a variety of factors, including fuel costs, softening demand and increased demand for other destinations.” OAG Schedules Analyser data shows WestJet launched all three routes during the summer 2026 season.
Riyadh Air will launch nonstop service between Riyadh and Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 16, expanding its Asian network. Flights will operate 3X-weekly using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Jakarta becomes Riyadh Air’s 16th destination on sale as the carrier works toward a network of more than 100 destinations by 2030.
Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines has launched interline partnerships with Finnair and Smartwings. The agreements allow passengers to book connecting itineraries on a single ticket and check baggage through to their final destination. The Smartwings partnership provides connections from Prague to 20 European destinations, while the Finnair agreement adds connections to nine destinations in Northern Europe. Starlux launched Taipei-Prague service in August 2026, establishing the Czech capital as its first European destination.
Chalair Aviation will establish a year-round base at Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell Airport, Spain, from January 2027 as part of an expansion that will eventually give the airport six international destinations. The French regional carrier will initially operate 2X-weekly year-round services to Madrid, Palma de Mallorca and Paris Orly, with Madrid and Palma subsequently increasing to 3X-weekly. Nice and Lyon will be added during the summer 2027 season, followed by Nantes in winter 2027-28. The program marks the first time an aircraft will be permanently based at Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell throughout the year. The airport has handled more than 52,000 passengers since its first commercial route opened in 2021.
Beijing Capital Airlines has launched a service linking Hangzhou and Qingdao, China, with Vancouver. The route is operated once a week using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The service operates via Qingdao, with Beijing Capital Airlines the sole scheduled carrier on the Qingdao-Vancouver sector.
SkyWest Airlines has launched new United Express and Delta Connection services from Canyonlands Regional Airport in Moab, Utah. Delta Connection service to Salt Lake City began Oct. 1, while year-round United Express flights to Denver will start Oct. 7. United’s Denver route will operate 1X- to 2X-daily using 50-seat CRJ200 aircraft. Delta’s Salt Lake City service will operate daily using 50-seat CRJ550s through Thanksgiving before pausing for the winter and returning in March 2027.
Air Cairo will launch 4X-weekly service between Cairo International Airport and Taif, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 19. Flights will be operated using Airbus A320 aircraft. The Egyptian carrier will compete on the route with EgyptAir, Nile Air and Air Arabia Egypt.
Related Content
