Economic progress in East Africa is currently outperforming all other regions on the continent, with an average annual growth rate of close to 7% at present, writes Peter Drummond, portfolio director for Baggage at SITA.
After securing Southwest's much-anticipated first routes to Hawaii, award-winning Oakland International is aiming to further develop its network with a route to Asia high on the agenda.
London Southend Airport is steadily expanding its route network into central and eastern Europe, with LCCs Ryanair and Wizz Air both announcing services from the UK airport to Bucharest.
Norwegian regional airline Widerøe is looking into the viability of more than 30 routes in its network if the country’s government goes ahead with an increase in value added tax (VAT).
The operator of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) received an extension of an injunction against protesters as anti-government activists vowed to “stress test” transportation links to the airport.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) continues to stabilize a system disruption for the second day at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with its Total Airport Management System (TAMS).
LATAM Cargo Group announced plans Aug. 22 to grow its networks in Colombia and Peru, boosting its position in two key South American markets for international trade.
Ryanair plans to make its debut this fall in Georgia—a former Soviet republic located between Europe and Asia—serving the country’s capital of Tbilisi and the west-Georgian city of Kutaisi.
Central and Eastern European LCC Wizz Air, which launched operations at its Vienna, Austria, base in June 2018, is adding two more Airbus A321s and six new routes in mid-December.
United Airlines is betting on a small percentage of its widebody fleet playing a large role in helping expand its international footprint, scheduling its reconfigured premium-heavy Boeing 767-300ERs on several new routes and upgrading flights in established high-yield markets.
Although Qantas stresses it has yet to decide if it will launch the ultra-long-haul routes envisioned under its Project Sunrise initiative, the airline is increasing its efforts to research and plan for these flights.
As number one in Lonely Planet’s list of cities to visit in 2019, Copenhagen is using a joined-up approach to grow its tourism industry and broaden its appeal to new international markets.
Qantas is to undertake three ultra long-haul research flights as part of its planning to operate non-stop routes from the east coast of Australia to London and New York. Chief executive Alan Joyce said there was “plenty of enthusiasm” for the routes, with a decision over their launch expected before the end of the year.
Delegations from the US and Japan signed an agreement Aug. 21 that will add two dozen new daytime services between US destinations and Tokyo Haneda Airport.
International Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh said he has “no confidence” in London Heathrow Airport’s expansion plans and described the cost of the project as a “heist.”
All Nippon Airways (ANA) will add three new international routes from Tokyo Narita Airport by the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2020, as the Japanese carrier continues to grow its international network.
Lufthansa and its LCC subsidiary Eurowings plans to expand their leisure long-haul network from their Munich and Frankfurt hubs, starting from summer 2020.
