Finland’s national carrier, Finnair, has shared an update regarding its summer schedule for next year. The carrier has chosen seven cities across the USA, Japan and China, where it will operate extra weekly services during the summer of 2025.

In the USA, Finnair will increase the weekly flight count to Chicago up to a daily affair. To Dallas, where the airline flew five weekly services in the summer of 2024, it will operate 11 weekly services. Similarly, the airline has planned two additional weekly flights to Seattle and Los Angeles next summer.

Over To Japan. Finnair has announced four weekly services to Nagoya, up from three, during next summer. Another Japanese destination the Finnish airline has chosen is Osaka, which hosts the World Expo 2025. A daily service to Osaka has been confirmed.

Lastly, the airline will fly an additional weekly flight to Shanghai, bringing the weekly count to four next summer.

Starting October 27, 2024, Air India will begin operating direct flights to London Heathrow from Bengaluru. This service, which will be operated using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, will replace Karnataka’s current direct connection with the English capital, Bengaluru, with London Gatwick. Also, that route operated five times weekly and joined the airline’s schedule earlier this year. The new route will be a daily affair.

The aircraft in question will boast a two-class configuration featuring 18 flatbeds in the Business Class section and 238 seats in Economy. The outbound flight—AI133—will depart from Bengaluru at 14:20 and arrive in London at 19:30. The return leg—AI134—will leave from London and land in Bengaluru at 21:05 and 12:20 the next day respectively. Once established, the new route will complement Air India’s London Heathrow connections from Mumbai and Delhi. The airline operates 31 weekly flights to London Heathrow from those two metros.

Regarding its link with London Gatwick, the carrier will continue to operate 12 weekly flights from four Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa and Kochi.

NOTE: The image above is for representational purposes only.

It isn’t a secret that Air India and Vistara will merge into one bigger, stronger airline under the new ownership. In fact, the amalgamation process is almost complete. One question that eludes the Vistara fans is what will happen to the services and experiences they’ve come to like and enjoy over the years? Well, Air India has answered.

Post-merger, Air India will operate the Vistara aircraft with a four-digit AI code beginning with ‘2’. For instance, the UK955 flight will become AI2955. This process will help travellers identify the aircraft after November 12, 2024. Air India says that the routes and schedule operated by Vistara aircraft will remain intact, along with in-flight experience, including the products and services like menu and cutlery. The same crew will serve passengers.

Lastly, the existing Club Vistara membership will be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program. Once completed, Flying Returns will take a new avatar—‘Maharaja Club’. And let’s not forget that the merged entity will offer a stronger worldwide network, with connections to more than 90 domestic and international destinations. The count surpasses 800 via codeshare and interline partners.

Also Read: Air India Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2024

Here’s some good news for those planning a trip to Thailand and applying for a visa in Mumbai. A new Visa Application Centre (VAC) has opened in Lower Parel, courtesy of DUDigital Global, which provides specialised services in visa processing, immigration, and global company formation.

The new facility will process visa applications, primarily focusing on Thailand. Spanning over 2,000 sq. ft., the VAC is equipped enough to process over 2,000 applications every day. A premium lounge at the premises adds to the comfort factor. Another intriguing service on offer is ‘Visa Wherever You Want’. If availed, applicants can get visa services at their doorstep. In addition to standard visa services, the VAC will also assist in applying for a Destination Thailand Visa with a five-year multi-entry provision. 

The UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, has announced a boost in flight frequencies to two European destinations: Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark. From October 1, 2025, the carrier will add extra weekly flights to both cities from its hub in Abu Dhabi, making them a daily service.

Etihad currently operates three weekly to Dusseldorf. An additional four weekly services will make it a daily affair. Moreover, the carrier will operate this route year-round. Flight EY133 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 02:55 and land in Dusseldorf at 08:05. The return leg – EY134 – will leave Dusseldorf and arrive in the UAE’s capital at 10:30 and 19:00, respectively.

Similarly, an additional three weekly flights will make the Abu Dhabi-Copenhagen route a daily service. Flight EY177 will depart the UAE’s capital and land in the Danish capital at 03:15 and 08:05, respectively. Those flying the other way will board flight EY178, leaving Copenhagen at 10:40 and landing in Abu Dhabi at 19:00. All times mentioned are local.

Also Read: Etihad To Fly More Flights On The Abu Dhabi-Jaipur Route

To offer more convenient travel options for Dubai and Batumi passengers, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has made a combined announcement. For the city in the UAE, the airline will begin operating flights to an additional airport from next month. And for Batumi, the carrier has decided to extend its services.

On November 8, 11, 13, and 20, 2024, AZAL will launch more flights on the Baku-Dubai-Baku route. These will operate from Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Azerbaijan’s capital to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. There are several hotels in the latter’s proximity. That means one won’t waste too much time travelling between the airport and the accommodation.

Over to the Baku-Batumi-Baku route. The airline has announced the extension of services until January 12, 2025. It will operate two weekly flights until then. In addition, AZAL is now accepting bookings for flights on the same route between March 14 and 28, 2025. Both measures have been devised to provide improved travel opportunities.

Also Read: AZAL Has Announced Partnership With Africa’s Largest Airline

Dubai-based Emirates has announced the name of two more destinations where it will deploy its thoroughly refurbished Boeing 777s. Starting October 27, 2024, the upgraded widebody will ferry passengers to and from Kuwait on flights EK855 and EK856. Similarly, beginning November 22, 2024, Emirates will operate a revamped 777 on the daily flights between Dubai and Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The airline operates two daily services on this route – EK823/EK824 and EK821/EK822. Once done, Dammam will become the second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the third in the GCC to be served by Emirates’ upgraded aircraft.

Emirates began the retrofitting program for the Boeing 777 fleet in July this year. Six aircraft have received a complete interior overhaul and are now serving passengers en route to Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, Tokyo Haneda, and Riyadh. These aircraft boast a four-class configuration with up to eight seats in First Class, 38 in Business, 24 in Premium Economy and 256 in Economy.

The upgraded Boeing 777s will also be introduced on Emirates’ network in the western hemisphere. The six confirmed routes are Chicago, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, Athens/Newark and Miami/Bogota.

Due to the Asian financial crisis in 1997, Korean Air had to take some drastic measures, including readjusting flight schedules. One of the victims was the Seoul-Kumamoto route. It was taken off the schedule and couldn’t be restored to the airline’s network for 27 years.

However, that will change on November 24, 2024. Korea’s flag carrier has confirmed the resurrection of flight service between Seoul Incheon and Kumamoto, the capital of Kyushu Island in Japan. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, flight KE777 will fly passengers out of Seoul at 15:50 and land in Kumamoto at 17:25. The return leg – KE778 – will depart from Kumamoto and land in Seoul Incheon at 18:25 and 20:30, respectively.

Flight timings for Wednesdays and Fridays will be 14:15 (departure from Seoul) and 15:50 (arrival in Kumamoto). Those flying in the opposite direction will leave Kumamoto at 16:50 and land in Seoul at 18:50. On Sundays, the outbound flight leaves and arrives in Kumamoto at 16:50 and 18:20, respectively. The return service departs from Kumamoto at 19:20 and lands in Korea’s capital at 21:20. All times mentioned are local.

Last month, Korean Air announced an increase in flight frequencies to two other smaller Japanese towns: Okayama and Kagoshima. Those will be available from October 27, 2024.

About three weeks ago, Delta Air Lines detailed its plan to set a personal record next summer with over 700 weekly trans-Atlantic flights. Well, the airline has announced that it will further its push by adding two more routes, which will go live during the same period.

The first of the two is a first for Delta. Through its codeshare agreement with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the US carrier will launch a nonstop service between Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Copenhagen. With three weekly flights planned, this route will join Delta’s increasing network in May 2025. An Airbus A330-300 widebody will serve passengers with a four-class layout: Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. Once launched, it will bring Delta’s direct offerings to Europe from Minneapolis to seven.

The airline’s second route will take flight the following month. In June 2025, Delta will restart its direct service between Los Angeles and Shanghai. An Airbus A350-900 will ferry passengers to and from three times weekly. The said aircraft will also feature a four-class configuration, as mentioned above.

At Los Angeles, Delta continues to bolster its presence. Besides the resumption of Shanghai service, the airline offers more than 150 peak-day departures to about 60 destinations worldwide. The list includes new and resumed services to Auckland, Paris and Brisbane, starting December 4, 2024.

In June this year, Etihad Airways began direct flights between its primary hub, Abu Dhabi, and Jaipur, India. The airline has received an overwhelming response from the four-month-old route. To that end, the #UAE’s national carrier has decided to add more flights between the cities.

Starting December 15, 2024, ten weekly flights will operate between the UAE’s capital and the capital of Rajasthan. Flight EY 0326 will depart from Abu Dhabi and land in Jaipur at 14:25 and 19:00, respectively. The return leg – EY 0327 – will fly out of Jaipur at 22:00 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 00:45 the next day. These flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

In case those times aren’t suitable, there’s another option. Flight EY 0328 will depart from Abu Dhabi and land in Jaipur at 02:10 the next day (operation days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays). The service back – EY 0329 – will leave Jaipur and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 03:15 and 06:00, respectively (operation days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays).

Etihad will ferry passengers aboard Airbus A320 family aircraft, featuring Business Class and Economy sections. 

Also Read: Etihad To Offer More Flights On Several Routes From December

Vietnam’s flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has established a direct link between Hanoi and Munich, Germany. The airline launched nonstop service between the cities on October 5. The outbound flight – VN35 – departed from Vietnam’s capital at five minutes past midnight for the capital of Bavaria. The return service flew out of the Munich International Airport at 13:35 the same day. Both times mentioned are local.

On the newly introduced route, Vietnam Airlines will operate two weekly services. Flights will depart from Hanoi on Fridays and Sundays, whereas those coming the other way will leave from Munich on Saturdays and Mondays.

That’s not all. On October 7, 2024, the airline introduced a direct flight to Munich from Ho Chi Minh City. This route will operate once a week on Mondays (return flight on Tuesdays). However, an additional service on Wednesdays (return on Thursdays) will be introduced in December this year. Last month, the carrier announced its plan to start nonstop flights between Hanoi and Milan next year.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has inked an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline. According to the paperwork, passengers of both airlines will have access to additional routes and smooth transfers.

The collaboration between the two flag carriers of their respective countries enables travellers to purchase a single ticket for flights of both airlines. An additional convenience extended is the end-to-end baggage check-in service. In other words, passengers won’t have to claim and re-check the baggage between transfers.

Those travelling can benefit from transfers in the Middle East, the GCC countries, and the Indian subcontinent. This partnership opens up a broad choice of international destinations for AZAL passengers, especially in Africa.

Also Read: Azerbaijan Airlines Is The Latest Customer For AerCap

For the very first time, an Indian airline has bagged top honours at the World Travel Awards. The 31st edition of the prestigious awards gave Air India’s latest inflight entertainment the title of Asia’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment 2024. With this, the rejuvenated carrier joins an elite club of airlines that have bagged World Travel Awards titles in previous years.

The award recognised Air India’s full suite of inflight entertainment aboard its latest Airbus A350 fleet, which currently ferry passengers between Delhi and London Heathrow. Next month, the new-gen aircraft will serve Air India passengers en route to New York JFK. The same inflight entertainment will also be available on the 64 new widebody aircraft on firm order, and the fleet of aeroplanes that will be upgraded with a complete interior overhaul along with the latest entertainment systems.

Air India’s new inflight entertainment provides a broad choice of content. Over 3000 hours of content across formats and genres is available, including 1400 hours of movies, 850 hours of TV shows, and 1000 hours of audio.

Also Read: Air India Express And AirAsia India Merger Is Now Complete

After starting nonstop service between Belgrade and Guangzhou less than two weeks ago, Air Serbia announced the name of the third destination in mainland China to which it would fly directly. Starting January 11, 2025, the Serbian flag carrier will begin flights to Shanghai from its primary hub. During the winter season, the airline will operate two weekly flights on the newly announced route on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The return flights will begin their journeys on Wednesdays and Sundays. Air Serbia also plans to keep the Belgrade-Shanghai route alive in the following summer season.

Once the new route goes live, Air Serbia will have established nonstop flight links to three cities in mainland China. In addition to the two mentioned above, it has been operating flights to Tianjin since December 9, 2022. The airline aims to facilitate travel between the two countries, which recently signed a free trade agreement and practice a visa-free regime.

Also Read: Air Serbia Now Has Three A330-200s In Fleet

One of the strong players in private jet services, RightJet, has announced the opening of a private jet showroom in a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Where exactly? In the atrium of the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The space is filled with intriguing aspects. For instance, the crew dons a 1960s-inspired uniform but uses high-tech solutions to provide information and services to visitors. The showroom also includes a private meeting room, a majlis area for guests to get all the details for making an informed decision, and a mock-up fuselage of one of the latest and fastest private jets on the market that entered service very recently.

Also, Dubai-based RightJet has created a proprietary application to present real-time aviation solutions and aircraft options to its clients.

Also Read: Opul Jets Has Confirmed New Creature Comfort For Compatible Fleet

The Serbian flag carrier, Air Serbia, has welcomed its third Airbus A330-200 to strengthen the long-haul fleet. Flaunting Expo 2027 Belgrade livery, the aircraft’s registration code is YU-ARD. The colourful set was applied to the plane in Lisbon using 270 unique decals. The widebody aeroplane was manufactured in 2014 and features 22 seats in Business Class and 240 in Economy. Two Rolls-Royce engines provide enough thrust for a maximum flying altitude of 41,450 feet.

The Expo 2027 event is scheduled between May 15 and August 15, 2027. The newly inducted A330-200, along with the other two already in service and another one expected to join Air Serbia’s fleet before 2024 ends, will help bring international crowds from New York and Chicago in the west to Tianjin and Guangzhou in the East. The first Airbus A330-200, bearing registration YU-ARB, joined the carrier’s fleet in April 2021. The second one – YU-ARC – came into the picture in November 2022. That aircraft is named after and features an image of Mihajlo Pupin, a famed Serbian inventor.

Also Read: Air Serbia Now Flying Direct To Two Cities In China

Private jet charter provider Opul Jets has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink Aviation. Courtesy of the partnership, all compatible aircraft in the company’s fleet will be upgraded to provide satellite internet to its passengers. In other words, those who charter a jet can stay connected to the internet even while flying.

Opul Jets claims that the equipment will help offer high-speed internet with low latency. The promised download speed will vary between 40 and 220 Mbps, while the upload speeds will range from 8 to 25 Mbps. The latency will be less than 99 milliseconds. As a result, passengers can easily watch live sports and stream movies aboard.

The first aircraft to be fitted with equipment to provide satellite internet is Opul Jets’ Bombardier Global Express XRS. It’s an ultra-long-range jet ideal for intercontinental journeys. The aircraft has space for up to 16 passengers and can fly up to 6,500 nautical miles nonstop. Opul Jets operates the aircraft through AV8Jet Charter Ltd, Malta.

The installation process of Starlink Aviation’s hardware isn’t time-consuming. In fact, per Opul Jets, the whole package can be fitted during routine maintenance checks, thus avoiding any service disruption. Each compatible aircraft will be equipped with an antenna (called Aero Terminal), a Power Supply Unit and two wireless access points.

One of India’s newest and fastest-growing airlines, Akasa Air, has partnered with TripFactory to introduce Akasa Holidays. As the name suggests, the carrier allows travellers to book holiday packages directly. The airline offers an extensive range of pocket-friendly and customised holiday packages for those looking to experience a variety of exciting destinations, both in India and overseas. These packages can be customised based on the occasion, for instance, a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a corporate retreat.

The services included in packages are air travel (of course!), hotel stays, transfers, sightseeing and other miscellaneous activities and 24/7 on-tour assistance, ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the trip. Some curated theme-based packages include Weekend City Breaks, Wellness Tours, and Heritage & Pilgrimage Tours. And yes, all can be customised with add-ons per the passengers’ requirements.

Intrigued? Take advantage of the introductory offer of 10 per cent off packages with the promo code HOLIDAY10.

Also Read: Akasa Air Now Has 25 Boeing Jets In Its Fleet

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Cebu Pacific of the Philippines have finalised a firm order for 70 A321neo aircraft, the largest in the A320neo family. Following this latest deal, the airline’s revised order book with Airbus stands at 94 A320neo family aircraft and seven A330neo aeroplanes.

The carrier presently operates 61 A320 family aircraft to serve its strong regional network and nine A330 widebodies on high-density routes in the region and to destinations in the Middle East.

The A321neo offers a 50 per cent reduction in noise and over 20 per cent savings in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to the previous-gen single-aisle jet.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Pratt & Whitney Signs Big Engine Deal With Cebu Pacific

Aircraft lessor AerCap has found a new customer: Azerbaijan Airlines. The two parties have inked agreements under which the former will supply the latter with six narrowbody jets. Which ones? All are from the European manufacturer Airbus’ A320neo family, precisely three units each of the A320neo and A321neo. The six single-aisle aeroplanes will get their thrust from CFM LEAP engines. The jets should join the carrier’s fleet in 2026.

The new aircraft will strengthen the network and help Azerbaijan Airlines progress towards fleet modernisation.

NOTE: The image has been sourced from Azerbaijan Airlines’ official website.

Air India Group, now part of the Tata Group, is undergoing a massive transformation. In addition to revitalising the brand with a new fleet of aircraft and a fresh outlook on the end-to-end flying experience, the plans include reshaping operations of the four airlines part of the group. In short, merge Air India with Vistara to make a stronger global airline, and the same fate for the two low-cost carriers – Air India Express and AirAsia India. The merger of the latter two is now complete.

The merged entity will operate under the name Air India Express and have a unified airline code: IX. The whole merger process took less than a year to complete. It included blending operation manuals and transferring Air Operator Certificates. All this while, Air India Group worked closely with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. At the same time, the merger received support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, among other key stakeholders.

Also Read: Air India Begins Refitting Planes With New Interiors And Livery

With the merger completed, Air India Express will continue to grow. The airline’s fleet has risen to 88 aircraft, and it continues to receive nearly four new aircraft every month. At this rate, the fleet size should touch 100 by the end of the current fiscal year. On the other hand, AirAsia India (AIX) has increased the route count from 74 to 171 while the passenger count has risen by 400 per cent since Tata Group came into the equation in 2022. 

Serbia’s flag carrier, Air Serbia, has begun direct flights to Guangzhou in the People’s Republic of China from its primary hub at Belgrade. An Airbus A330-200 widebody jet will ferry passengers to and fro twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays. The inaugural flight – JU988 – took off from Belgrade at 00:20. It arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, approximately 28km from the city centre. The airport is also the primary airport in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

The link to Guangzhou becomes the airline’s second direct service to mainland China. The first was to Tianjin, a service which recommenced in December 2022.

Also Read: Air Serbia Reconnects Belgrade With Nice After Five Years

Hong Kong-headquartered Cathay Pacific has confirmed that from April 24, 2025, it will begin operating four weekly flights to Dallas Fort Worth from its primary hub. The carrier has never operated this route, and it will start with four weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The outbound flight – CX898 – will depart Hong Kong and arrive in Dallas Fort Worth at 16:05 and 17:55, respectively. The return leg – CX897 – will leave Dallas Fort Worth at 23:55 and land in Hong Kong at 05:05, two days ahead. An Airbus A350-1000 will ferry passengers on both sectors. Once operational, this new route will become the sixth passenger destination in the USA and the eighth in North America. With Cathay Pacific’s codeshare partnerships, travellers can connect to more than 190 destinations across the USA and 11 in Central and South America via Dallas Fort Worth.

Also Read: Cathay Group’s Love For The Airbus A330 Grows Stronger

Presently, the airline operates 88 return passenger flights to destinations in North America every week. These include Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver. However, the weekly count is set to increase to 108 return flights by May 2025. Cathay Pacific will increase flight frequencies, including three daily services to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Also, a daily return flight to Boston and Chicago is in the pipeline. In Canada, the airline will operate two daily return services to Vancouver and 13 weekly flights to Toronto.

To strengthen flight operations for the upcoming winter season, Korean Air has confirmed an increase in frequencies on select routes. Starting October 20, 2024, the Korean flag carrier will operate two daily services between Seoul Incheon and Bali, up from eleven weekly flights. This schedule will run until March 27, 2025, and a Boeing 787-10 will ferry passengers to and fro.

Similar changes go live for the airline a week later. Beginning October 27, 2024, Korean Air will increase flight frequencies from one daily to twice daily on the Seoul Incheon-Nha Trang route and from five weekly services to daily on the Seoul Incheon-Kagoshima route. From the same date, the carrier has planned to fly a daily service from its primary hub to Las Vegas (up from five weekly flights), four weekly flights to Madrid (up from three), a daily service to Taichung (up from four weekly) and eleven weekly flights to Vancouver (up from 7~10 weekly). The Seoul Incheon-Vancouver route will see another uplift to two daily services from December 1, 2024.

Korean Air has also planned to operate an additional daily service to Phu Quoc from Seoul Incheon, bringing the daily count to two. The airline predicts that capacity will reach 100 per cent of pre-pandemic levels during the winter season.

Also Read: Korean Air Is Now Offering Direct Flights To Lisbon

Latvia’s airBaltic has announced that it has extended its codeshare partnership with British Airways (BA), the UK’s flag carrier, effective September 19, 2024. Per the paperwork, the former will place code ‘BT’ on the Riga-London Heathrow-Riga flights, operated by BA, beginning October 1, 2024. On the other hand, the London-headquartered airline will continue injecting its code ‘BA’ on flights from Riga and Tallinn to London Gatwick, operated by the Latvian carrier.

The codeshare between the two airlines first went live ten years ago. As with the codeshare, passengers of both airlines will have more flexibility when travelling on services between Latvia, the United Kingdom, and beyond.

Also Read: airBaltic And Lufthansa Group Add Three Years To Their Partnership

After a five-year gap, a much sought-after route for Air Serbia made a comeback today. Flight JU250 took off from the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and landed in France’s second-largest airport, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Serbia’s flag carrier will operate two weekly flights between Belgrade and Nice on Thursdays and Sundays. The flight time for each sector is approximately 2 hours. The announcement for the resumption of this route came in last month.

The Nice Airport serves more than 14 million passengers every year. Air Serbia’s connection to Belgrade will offer travellers additional flight options to several European destinations. Besides providing service to Nice, Air Serbia also offers flights to Paris and Lyon. 

The easy-on-the-pocket airline easyJet has announced an all-new route for next year’s summer. Starting April 1, 2025, the low-cost carrier will begin operating nonstop flights between London Luton and Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Although the airliner has never offered this route, it does fly passengers to the Georgian capital from Geneva and Milan Malpensa. Tickets for the London-Tbilisi route are already available. To bolster flight operations from London Luton, easyJet has based an extra Airbus A320 jet, bringing the carrier’s fleet at the said hub to 25 A320 family aircraft.

In addition to connections to major European cities such as Paris and Amsterdam, easyJet flies to various other leisure locations across the continent from London Luton. The list includes destinations in Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt.

Earlier this week, UK’s flag carrier British Airways announced direct flights to Tbilisi from London Heathrow.

UK’s flag carrier, British Airways, has confirmed the addition of a new route from its primary hub London Heathrow. Starting March 30, 2025, the airline will operate direct services to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The flight, using an Airbus A320neo, will be offered four times weekly.

The outbound flight, BA890, will depart from London Heathrow at 21:25 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and land in the Georgian capital at 05:30 the next day. The flight back, BA391, will depart from Tbilisi at 07:10 and arrive at London Heathrow at 09:40 on Wednesdays. The same flight on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays will leave 20 minutes later and arrive in London at 10:00. All times mentioned are local.

Travellers will have two cabin options aboard the single-aisle jet – Club Europe (Business) and Euro Traveller (Economy). Those opting for the latter will get a complimentary drink and snack. In contrast, flyers in the former category will get lounge access, a full meal service, priority boarding and extra baggage allowance, all included in their ticket fare. The airline is accepting bookings with return ticket prices starting at GBP 275.

Also Read: British Airways To Set A New Record Next Summer

Vietnam’s flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has confirmed a new nonstop route to Europe, bringing the total to nine. Beginning July 1, 2025, the airline will operate three weekly flights to Milan, Italy, from Hanoi on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner will serve passengers on the newly announced route. The airline also plans to link Milan with Ho Chi Minh City after 2025.

For Italy, Vietnam is the largest trading partner in the ASEAN. On the other hand, Italy is ranked as the fourth largest trading partner within the European Union. Establishing a direct link between Milan and Vietnam is based on the rise of travellers. Last year, the Southeast Asian nation welcomed 81,000 tourists from Italy, about 89 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. In the first quarter of 2024, a 32 per cent rise in travellers from Italy to Vietnam has been recorded compared to the same period in 2019.

Vietnam Airlines’ present European network already includes direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Paris, Frankfurt, and London. Next month, a direct service to Munich, Germany, will strengthen the carrier’s presence in Europe.

A massive part of Air India’s transformation phase under the new ownership is retrofitting in-service aircraft with brand-new interiors, modern-day technology and the latest livery. That refurbishment activity is officially underway, with the first of the 67 jets lined up for a thorough overhaul entering the allotted hangar yesterday.

The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo bearing registration number VT-EXN, will receive new upholstery, carpets, curtains, and seats in a three-class configuration—8 seats in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 132 in Economy. Once the single-aisle jet is back in service, likely in December 2024, travellers will get various creature comforts. In addition to USB Type A and Type C charging ports and personal electronic device (PED) holders, travellers in Business Class will have 40-inch seats with a 7-inch recline, adjustable armrest, footrest and backrest and a push-button deployable tray table.

Also Read: Air India Is Now Flying To Kuala Lumpur From Delhi

Those travelling in Premium Economy will get 32-inch seats with a 4-inch recline, PED holders and USB charging ports. Similarly, the Economy section will have 28-29-inch seats with a 4-inch recline, PED holders and charging ports.

The 67 jets that will receive the upgrade include 27 narrowbody and 40 widebody. The airline expects to overhaul 3 to 4 aircraft per month. That means the overhauling activity for the narrowbody jets will be finished by mid-2025. Air India says the first widebody jet should enter the hangar for the planned upgrade early next year. All in all, this will cost upwards of USD 400 million.

Further strengthening its network in Southeast Asia, Air India has begun direct services to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from Delhi. The first outbound flight took off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport on September 15, 2024, and the return leg completed its journey earlier today.

Air India’s service between Delhi and Kuala Lumpur is a daily affair. Flight AI384 will depart from Delhi and arrive in Malaysia’s capital at 13:00 and 21:00, respectively. Those travelling the other way will board flight AI385, which will take off from Kuala Lumpur at 08:30 and land in Delhi at 11:25. An Airbus A320neo will ferry passengers on both sectors.

Kuala Lumpur is Air India’s sixth destination in Southeast Asia. The airline already has active services from India to Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon.

Also Read: Air India Confirms More Flights To Kolkata From Four Cities

The Belgian national airline, Brussels Airlines, has announced its plans to expand its long-haul fleet, invest in cabin refurbishment, and utilise the services of another carrier based on the recently extended wet lease agreement with Lufthansa Group.

Brussels Airlines claims to be the “Africa expert” within the Lufthansa Group. To further strengthen that position, the carrier will induct three Airbus A330 aircraft, bringing its widebody fleet to 13. This move will help the airline focus primarily on the increasing traffic from the sub-Saharan Africa network. The idea is to make Brussels a European hub for flights to and from Africa.

Of course, with the new aeroplanes coming in, more manpower will be required. Hence, Brussels Airlines will hire over 250 new employees, including pilots, cabin crew, maintenance & engineering experts, and airport and office personnel. This also paves the way for present airline staff to move to a different or higher role.

In addition to inducting new aircraft, the Belgian carrier plans to gradually introduce all-new cabin interiors. While specific details are still under wraps, a complete overhaul of all three classes – Business, Premium Economy and Economy – is part of the plan. The airline says this project will attract an investment of more than 100 million euros.

Lastly, Brussels Airlines will operate four Airbus A220-300 aircraft with Latvian carrier airBaltic between March and October 2025. Each aircraft has 148 seats, and they will be deployed on routes with lower demand.

Latvian national carrier airBaltic has announced extending a wet lease partnership with Lufthansa Group. Scheduled to start in the summer of 2025, the three-year extension will see airBaltic operate a set of scheduled flights on behalf of Lufthansa Group. To be a bit more specific, up to 21 airBaltic’s Airbus A220-300 narrowbody jets will operate on routes set by Lufthansa Group.

Here’s what Martin Gauss, president and CEO at airBaltic, said in an official release:

This partnership is an endorsement of our wet lease capabilities and reliability from a well-respected international brand like Lufthansa Group. We are looking forward to a successful collaboration over the coming years.

Earlier this month, airBaltic confirmed 16 new routes from three bases. Last month, it extended its order for new A220-300 aircraft, bringing the order book to 90.

Indian low-cost carrier Akasa Air has taken delivery of its 25th Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The narrowbody twin-engined jet landed in Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on September 12, 2024. The single-aisle airliner, with Captain Bhavna Gandhi and Captain Sanaya Chothia incharge, flew out of Boeing’s facility in Seattle on September 9. The aircraft’s first halt outside the USA was in Keflavik, Iceland. The final leg to Telangana’s capital began in Larcana, Cyprus.

For those unaware, Akasa Air placed its first-ever order for narrowbody jets in 2021: 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline started commercial operations in August 2022, followed by an order for four Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets in June 2023. Then, earlier this year, the carrier deepened its order books with the American aircraft manufacturer by ordering 150 737 MAX aeroplanes. Simple math reveals that in 17 months, Akasa Air had an order book of 226 aircraft. The remaining 201 aircraft will be delivered over the next eight years.

The carrier serves several domestic routes and offers overseas connections. For instance, the daily Mumbai-Riyadh service was launched in June 2024. Similarly, Akasa Air linked India’s financial capital with Kuwait last month.

UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, has announced a new flight schedule for its Abu Dhabi-Paris route. Starting November 1, 2024, an Airbus A380 will fly passengers between the two capitals directly daily. Then, from January 15, 2025, a second daily service will be introduced on the same route. This one will be served on a Boeing 787-9.

Both aircraft will feature a three-class configuration. The A380 will exclusively offer Etihad’s ‘The Residence’ – the only three-room suite on a commercial airliner worldwide. In addition, the double-decker four-engined long-haulier will boast First Apartments, Business Studios and, of course, an Economy section. On the other hand, the 787-9 will offer travellers the option of First, Business and Economy Class cabins.

Also Read: Etihad Confirms Two New Routes To Strengthen Connectivity In Europe

Beginning November 1, 2024, flight EY31 will depart Abu Dhabi and arrive in Paris at 02:40 and 07:30, respectively. The return leg – EY32 – will fly out of the French capital at 09:45 and land in Abu Dhabi at 19:25.

As mentioned above, the second daily service will begin in mid-January of next year. Flight EY33 will leave the UAE capital at 14:20 and land in Paris at 19:10. The same aircraft will carry flight number EY34 on the way back, which begins at 20:45 and concludes at 06:25 the next day. All times mentioned above are local.

To strengthen its European network further, Korean Air has launched direct flights to Lisbon, Portugal, from its primary hub, Seoul Incheon. The first flight, KE921, left the Korean soil at 11:50 today.

South Korea’s flag carrier will operate the Seoul Incheon-Lisbon route thrice weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The outbound flight – KE921 – will depart from Seoul Incheon at 13:10 and land in Lisbon at 20:10. The return leg – KE922 – will fly out of the Portuguese capital and arrive in South Korea’s capital city at 22:10 and 19:10 the next day, respectively. All times mentioned are local.

Korean Air claims that KE921 will have a flight duration of 15 hours and 10 minutes, whereas KE922 will take 13 hours to complete the journey. Both legs will be on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, configured with 24 seats in Prestige Class and 254 in Economy.

Also Read: Korean Air Confirms More Flights For These Important Markets

In a bid to attract more passengers travelling between Europe and the Middle East, Etihad Airways has confirmed the addition of two new routes. The first is to Prague, Czechia, while the second is to Warsaw, Poland. The UAE’s national carrier has never flown to either of these destinations directly. Both new routes will go live in the summer of 2025.

The service between Abu Dhabi and Prague will begin on June 2 next year. Flight EY155 will depart from the UAE capital at 02:50 and arrive in the Czech capital at 07:15. The return service—EY156—will depart from Prague and land in Abu Dhabi at 11:20 and 19:05, respectively.

The second new route goes live the following day. On June 3, 2025, flight EY159 will leave Abu Dhabi at 02:45 and land in Warsaw at 06:50. Those travelling the other way will board flight EY160, which will depart from the Polish capital and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 11:15 and 19:00, respectively.

Etihad will operate four weekly services on both the new routes mentioned above. Passengers will be aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, featuring a two-class layout with 28 seats in Business Class and 262 in Economy.

Also Read: Mumbai City FC Finds A New Sponsor In Etihad Airways

UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, has signed a sponsorship agreement with Mumbai City FC. Per the paperwork for the multi-year partnership, the airline is the new ‘Front of Shirt’ sponsor for the football club, which has won two Indian Super League championships and two Indian Super League Cups.

The agreement will see the Etihad Airways logo feature prominently on the front of the shirt of Mumbai City FC’s first and youth match outfits and training kits. The partnership between the two starts from the 2024-25 season.

Earlier this year, the carrier from the Middle East also signed on to become the official sponsor for Chennai Super Kings, a team that has multiple Indian Premier League titles to its name.

Etihad Airways is also celebrating 20 years of flying to India this year. To mark the occasion, it began operating an Airbus A380 on its Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route on September 1, 2024.