The latest airline route news, featuring network changes, schedule alterations, codeshares and interline agreements.
Oct. 1
Qantas has launched Airbus A380 service between Sydney and Johannesburg, marking the first time the aircraft type has been used between Australia and South Africa. The A380 will fly up to six times per week and will see a near-doubling of capacity, with an extra 130,000 seats every year. Qantas also intends to relaunch flights from Johannesburg to Perth from mid-2025, subject to meeting border agency requirements in Western Australia. The carrier has also signed a codeshare agreement with South Africa’s Airlink. Qantas will add its QF code on Airlink's domestic network, enabling connectivity between Qantas flights to Johannesburg and nine South African destinations. It hopes to add additional Airlink destinations in nearby southern African countries over the coming months, pending regulatory approval.
Gulf Air and Thai Airways have expanded their codeshare partnership. Gulf Air will add 10 new destinations to its network via Thai Airways, bringing the total number of codeshare routes to 14. Thai Airways will add six new destinations to its network via Gulf Air, bringing the total number of codeshare routes to eight. “This strategic move not only enhances operational efficiency across our networks, but also provides our passengers with even greater choice and convenience, connecting them to even more exciting destinations across Asia and Australia via Bangkok,” a spokesperson for Gulf Air says.
Delta Air Lines plans to introduce five new routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Starting on March 9, 2025, the carrier will open a nonstop route to Panama City, Florida, operating daily by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest on an Embraer ERJ-175 aircraft. Flights to Memphis and Indianapolis will begin on May 7, each operating daily by SkyWest using ERJ-175s. On June 8, Delta will round out its latest expansion with nonstop service to San Francisco and Tampa. The SkyTeam alliance member plans to offer daily service to both cities using Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines have agreed to further enhance their commercial cooperation. The carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including codesharing, cargo operations and ground handling services. Air Serbia launched a new route between Belgrade and Guangzhou, the home hub for Chia Southern, in late September. Flights will be 2X-weekly using Airbus A330-200 equipment.
China Eastern Airlines has launched two new routes to Italy. Service between Shanghai Pudong and Venice will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while flights between Xi'an and Milan Malpensa will also be offered 3X-weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. “These new routes not only provide more convenient travel options for passengers between China and Italy but also open up fresh opportunities for cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations,” a statement from the airline says. China Eastern has also commenced a 3X-weekly route between Shanghai Pudong and Kazan, Russia, with Airbus A330-200 equipment.
Transavia has inaugurated a new route from Amsterdam to Granada, Spain. Flights will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, the LCC now serves 14 destinations in Spain from Amsterdam, including offering 3X-daily flights to both Alicante and Malaga.
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