Routes

From big mergers to the emergence of next-generation airlines, ASM's Nigel Mayes makes five predictions on what might shake the aviation world in 2018.

Emirates has agreed a deal for 36 additional A380 aircraft, ending speculation about the future of the Airbus programme.

Senior network planners from more than 50 carriers confirm their attendance at Europe’s leading route development event.

Ultra-low-cost airline Volaris has signed a codeshare agreement with sister carrier Frontier Airlines that is expected to open more routes between the US and Mexico.

Ethiopian Airlines has finalised a shareholder agreement with the Zambian government to relaunch the southern African country’s national carrier.

India’s government has proposed a divestment plan that could result in state-run carrier Air India being split into four separate companies.

Airbus has admitted that it will stop making its A380 superjumbo unless it secures more orders.

European aircraft maker Airbus enjoyed record deliveries in 2017 while a spree of orders in the final few weeks of the year helped it to beat Boeing in the annual commercial jet sales race.

This week: Air China is set to enter the Beijing-Copenhagen market, Malaysia Airlines returns to Brisbane and Smartwings adds leisure route.

Ecuador hopes the adoption of an Open Skies policy will attract more international operators to the Latin American country and unlock new routes.

Alex Cruz will outline the carrier’s network strategy at Europe’s leading route development forum.

Over 600 face-to-face meetings have already been scheduled for Routes Americas 2018

Senior network planners confirm their attendance at the only route development event dedicated to the Asia Pacific region.

New Indian government legislation could ease efforts to divest Star Alliance carrier to foreign owners.

Wizz Air, the Hungarian low-cost carrier focussed on the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) market, is continuing its advance west with the launch of its second base in Western Europe as it targets former Niki leisure passengers.

Boeing delivered a record number of commercial airplanes in 2017, driven by high output of its range of 737 and 787 jets.

Brisbane, the host of Routes Asia 2018, has secured the return of Oneworld alliance member Malaysia Airlines with direct flights to Kuala Lumpur.

Israel’s flag carrier El Al is to continue its expansion into North America, but will drop its low-cost brand Up after four years of service to five European destinations.

The Routes Americas 2018 conference prepares to discuss the biggest issues facing the region.

Delta Air Lines was named the world’s most on-time airline in 2017 with an on-time performance of 85.9 percent – the first US-based airline to win the global airline category since the awards were created.

Chinese regulators have relaxed price controls on domestic flights as part of further reforms to the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation market.

Turkish Airlines has set an ambitious passenger target this year at the same time as placing a provisional order for up to 25 long-range Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

British Airways will add more than 150 additional weekly flights from London Gatwick this summer, turning up the heat on its rivals.

The week: Thai Lion adds more China flights, Volaris Costa Rica reveals first US routes and Copenhagen to get Basra link.

Changi Airport in Singapore, the reigning overall winner at the Routes Asia Marketing Awards, has just crossed another milestone with more than 60 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2017. Routesonline finds out what’s driving the growth and which destinations in Europe and North America it is seeking to add to its route map.