The latest airline route news, featuring network changes, schedule alterations, codeshares and interline agreements.
Oct. 6
American Airlines has commenced flights between Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE). Operations will be 2X-daily using Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft. “With two flights per day, the schedule is perfect for travelers looking to fly to D.C. for a day of business without the need to stay overnight,” MKE Airport Director Brian Dranzik says. American also offers daily nonstops from MKE to Chicago, Charlotte, North Carolina, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix and Philadelphia. On Nov. 4, the carrier will begin nonstop flights to Miami every Saturday.
Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines has outlined a new strategy for 2024-28, saying it plans to introduce 20 new scheduled medium and long-haul destinations. The carrier intends to increase its aircraft fleet by about 50% over the period to 110 in 2028, up from 75 today, and grow passenger numbers by 70% to almost 17 million. “Global aviation is evolving before our eyes, and we will be one of the leaders of this evolution, says LOT Polish Airlines CEO Michal Fijol.
IndiGo has commenced daily flights between New Delhi and Hong Kong. The Indian airline said the route aims to strengthen strategic ties and capitalize on the rich sociocultural diversity between one of South Asia's largest economies and a vital business and travel hub in the Asia-Pacific region.” OAG Schedules Analyser data shows that IndiGo will compete with Air India and Cathay Pacific.
Hong Kong Airlines plans to resume direct service to Kumamoto, Japan, for the first time since 2016. Flights will restart on Dec. 2, operating three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Kumamoto will become the carrier’s second destination in Kyushu alongside its existing daily service between Hong Kong and Fukuoka.
Oct. 5
Spanish carrier Volotea says it plans to launch five new destinations from Strasbourg, France, in the “coming weeks.” The routes will be in addition to services to Malaga, Spain, commencing in April 2024, and Calvi, Corsica, set to launch next June. The airline intends to base two aircraft in Strasbourg in 2024, offering more than 1 million seats to 29 destinations.
Canada’s Porter Airlines has inaugurated a daily service between Edmonton and Ottawa using 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. “We’re continuing to expand our western Canada network, and this new route connects travelers with many of our well-established eastern Canada destinations,” says Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. This route complements Porter’s existing presence from Ottawa to western Canada, including nonstop service from Ottawa and Vancouver and additional connecting options via Toronto-Pearson to Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg.
Ryanair’s winter 2023-24 schedule from Alicante, Spain, will include three new routes to Budapest, Hungary; Paderborn, Germany; and Warsaw, Poland. The ULCC will base nine aircraft at the Spanish airport—up from seven during winter 2022-23—offering a total of 68 routes. Frequencies are being increased on 42 of the services, including to Dublin and Manchester.
Oct. 4
Aerolíneas Argentinas has announced a new route to Uruguay. Flights will connect San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina’s Patagonia region with the Uruguayan capital Montevideo from Jan. 2, 2024. Flights will be offered twice a week using Boeing 737-800 aircraft. “This new flight is part of the series of announcements that we have been making regarding regional connectivity with the aim of continuing to promote inbound tourism, both summer and winter,” says Aerolíneas Argentinas Commercial Director Fabián Lombardo.
Tigerair Taiwan plans to increase connectivity between Taiwan and Japan from the start of the northern winter season. Flights will connect Taiwan Taoyuan with Kochi twice a week from Nov. 1. Kochi becomes the first destination the airline will serve on the island of Shikoku.
Saudi Arabia’s Flynas has launched a new route to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Service between Jeddah and Bishkek will operate three times per week using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The launch comes as the carrier announced it has taken delivery of five A320neos in the past month, increasing its overall fleet to 56 aircraft. It has now taken delivery of 11 A320neos in 2023 and expects a further eight to join its fleet before the end of the year. The move comes as Flynas prepares to launch a new base in Madinah.
Oct. 3
Vietjet has confirmed the schedule for its two planned new routes to Australia, as well as announcing network additions to Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Adelaide and Perth will begin on Nov. 21, operating five times per week. The move increases the LCC’s Australian network to five destinations. Elsewhere, two new international routes are being launched from the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, connecting the tourist destination with Busan, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan. Flights to Busan will be daily from Dec. 10, while a 4X-weekly service to Taipei will begin on Jan. 17, 2024. Vietjet also plans to introduce a new route from Vietnam's capital Hanoi to Hong Kong, flying daily from Dec. 22.
KLM’s northern winter 2023-24 network will comprise 157 destinations, the carrier has confirmed, including flights to new destination Marseille, France. Operations to the French city will begin on Oct. 29, operating three times per day. Additionally, summer service to Rennes in France will continue throughout the winter season, operating daily. KLM says capacity to Canada will also increase by 20% during winter 2023-24, compared with winter 2022-23. There will be an average of 11X-weekly flights to Toronto; seven to Calgary; four to Montreal and Vancouver; and three to Edmonton.
IndiGo has commenced nonstop flights between New Delhi and Itanagar, capital of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, effective Oct. 2, 2023. The Indian LCC connects Itanagar with three metropolitan hubs: Kolkata, Mumbai and now New Delhi. Flights on the new route will be 4X-weekly. “This strategic addition not only offers passengers expanded travel options, but also opens up exciting opportunities for those looking to explore the enchanting landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh,” IndiGo Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra says.
Greece’s Aegean Airlines plans to offer 18 new routes to 14 countries during the northern winter 2023-24 season, compared to last winter. From Athens, new routes will be offered to Baku, Azerbaijan; Bratislava, Slovakia; Chisinau, Moldova; Dubai; Innsbruck, Austria; and Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. A connection will also be launched between Thessaloniki and Cairo, Egypt. In addition, the airline plans to maintain summer service to the likes of Barcelona, Bilbao and Malaga in Spain, as well as Birmingham and Bristol in England during the winter. Aegean carried more than 11.9 million passengers between January and September 2023, marking an increase of 30% compared to the same period last year.
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