Europe

Less than a year after its relaunch, Belgian carrier VLM Airlines has cancelled all flights and ceased to operate.

Dublin Airport is enjoying a period of record passenger growth as it continues to add frequencies on existing routes and secure new transatlantic services.

Laudamotion will double its Airbus fleet next year after Ryanair completed a deal to buy 75 percent of the Austrian leisure airline from former racing driver Niki Lauda.

Fierce competition from low-cost carriers means Icelandair is under increasing pressure to protect its place in the market.

American Airlines is reducing its services to Asia - including the removal of Chicago-Shanghai - but the carrier plans to expand its European network next summer with three new destinations.

As the government of Moldova looks to privatise its national airline, Routesonline examines the Eastern European country’s expanding market and the growing influence of low-cost carriers.

Belgian carrier VLM Airlines is to suspend all but two of its scheduled routes over the coming weeks to focus on private, charter and ACMI flights.

SkyTeam partners Air France-KLM and Air Europa are hoping that a planned joint venture agreement on flights between Europe and Central and South America will help to unlock new routes and direct flights between the two continents.

Following the announcement that the 26th World Routes will be held in Milan in 2020, Routesonline looks at some of the key facts and figures shaping Italy’s aviation market.

Ryanair has said there will be “few route closures” from Dublin despite cutting its fleet at the airport by 20 percent this winter.

This week: JetBlue's new Mexico City service; LOT Polish Airlines to increase Israeli routes; and Ryanair adds Madrid – Ouarzazate.

This week: Wizz adds Israel destination from Luton; Spirit increases Caribbean services; and Ethiopian to serve Eritrea after two decades.

Norwegian is the most requested airline at Routes events over the past five years, but why are airports so keen to attract the low-cost specialist? And what are the best strategies to get the airline’s attention? Routesonline looks at the growth of the Scandinavian carrier, which has this week swung to a surprise net profit in the second quarter of the year.

Our top five stories on Routes Weekly: Europe's summer growth, Africa's biggest carriers, GOL to add Quito route, Chinese carriers target LA, latest Routes Podcast

This week: Norwegian adds Thailand destination; Spirit to operate Guatemala service; and LEVEL readies for Vienna launch.

Europe’s aviation industry is poised for a record period over the coming months as demand for air transport continues to outstrip economic growth and defy geopolitical challenges. Routesonline analyses the continent’s growing market - at the same time as a new report has warned that the sector is heading for a capacity crunch unless urgent action is taken.

This week: SAS switches Hong Kong service to Copenhagen; JetBlue increases Havana capacity; and LOT Polish Airlines adds London City link.

International Airlines Group is seeking to gain a foothold on Austrian soil by using LEVEL, its low-cost weapon on transatlantic routes, to enter the crowded European short-haul leisure market.

Heathrow’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye has vowed to create the “best connected hub airport in the world” after MPs in the UK backed controversial plans to build a third runway.

Fresh from completing its inaugural flight earlier this month, Air Belgium is already looking to spread its wings by adding the US to its route network.

"Far from Project Fear, this is a dawning reality for Airbus," according to Tom Williams, chief operating officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

All Indonesian airlines were barred from flying into the European Union’s airspace in 2007 but the blanket ban has now been lifted.

Our top five stories on Routes Weekly: Russia's recovering aviation industry; World Cup 2018 by airlines, airports and routes; Delta adds Asia destinations but cuts Hong Kong; Routes Africa 2018 shortlists; Route rundown and more.

This week: Air Italy adds second destination in India; Norwegian targets Miami from Madrid; and XL Airways France plans unserved Chinese city.

As the host nation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia is pushed yet further in the global spotlight. Routesonline analyses the country’s recovering aviation industry, examining the fastest-growing international markets, the top airports and the busiest routes.