Routes

Countries in Africa are becoming more open to each other, but progress is needed to realise free movement of people continent-wide.

Routes Africa, the continent’s longest standing and most established aviation forum, has today got underway in Mombasa, Kenya.

When it comes to defining what makes the perfect airport partner, most airlines have a whole list of requirements, ranging from marketing support to comprehensive data analysis on the potential market for the new route. But when it comes to Korean Air, vice-president network planning team, passenger network and sales Hoyoon Jeong says there is only one, simple requirement to start the conversation: do you have the right slots?

This week: Hainan Airlines is returning to the Hungarian market; EVA Air plans Phuket resumption; and Juneyao Air add more European routes.

We profile Comair, the South African airline that operates scheduled services on domestic routes as a British Airways franchisee.

This week: Air France-KLM drops Virgin Atlantic deal plans; Ryanair to close two bases; Transavia to start Brussels service; codeshare agreed between Gulf Air and Middle East Airlines and more.

Chilean ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART is expanding its operations in Argentina with the purchase of Norwegian’s subsidiary in the country.

The latest issue of Routes News magazine features an interview with Korean Air, analysis on the European, South African and South-East Asia markets, plus lots more.

Low-cost carriers Jetstar Group and Tigerair Taiwan have signed an interline partnership designed to open new destinations, increase frequencies and provide better connectivity.

United Airlines has become the fourth US carrier to commit to Airbus’ A321XLR single-aisle aircraft, which it plans to deploy on thin transatlantic routes.

LATAM Airlines Group has signed codeshare agreements with Delta Air Lines as the two carriers progress plans to deepen ties.

A focus on the Kenya market ahead of Routes Africa 2019 taking place in Mombasa.

Voting for the awards closes on Friday 6 December. Don’t miss the opportunity to recognise the airports and tourism authorities that have provided exceptional marketing support over the past 12 months.

With the top ten carrying more than 60 million passengers between them, Routesonline counts down the largest African airlines and looks at their performance over the past 12 months.

This week: Turkmenistan Airlines returns to London, PAL launches Manado service, Wizz opens up at Krakow.

This week: SpiceJet ties up first codeshare, Jet2.com expansion continues, AAPA names new leader.

Trouble is brewing in Europe’s saturated market, with many airlines collapsing this year

An expanded transatlantic joint venture between Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic has been given final approval by the US Department of Transportation. The airlines claim the new partnership would offer “the most comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits”.

This week: Manchester Airport secures service to Shanghai; Stockholm gains first non-stop route to Tokyo in more than 30 years; and Turkish Airlines adds its fourth destination in China.

This week: Emirates firms Dreamliner and A350 orders; Gulf Air and SpiceJet sign cooperation agreement; Norwegian hires a new CEO; Air Astana puts faith in Max jets and more.

We profile Aeromar, the Mexican airline which is attending Routes Americas 2020.

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have detailed how they intend to use their new slot pairs being made available at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, with several new destinations in Europe and the US being added to their networks.

easyJet has pledged to become the first major carrier to operate net-zero carbon flights at the same time as signing an agreement with Airbus to research opportunities and challenges surrounding hybrid and electric aircraft.

Fresh from signing a co-operation agreement with New York-based JetBlue, low-cost long-haul specialist Norwegian is planning to expand its alliance to other carriers, the Scandinavian airline’s co-founder has told an industry event.

Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr has called on governments across Europe to accelerate carbon reductions by encouraging investment in sustainable fuels and using aviation taxes for the benefit of the environment.