Daily scheduled flights offer a highly competitive alternative on the heavily travelled corridor, linking Australian cities with the holiday island of Bali.

The expansion to include Bali-Melbourne flights follows TransNusa’s growth in the Australian market, as it secured a 20% market share in Perth.

TransNusa Group CEO Datuk Bernard Francis noted that the “launch of the Melbourne-Bali route represents a monumental step forward in TransNusa’s international expansion strategy. It strengthens Bali’s position as a premier gateway between Australia and Asia, while giving travellers a compelling new choice that combines connectivity, value, and a distinctly premium travel experience.”

To celebrate this milestone, TransNusa continues to offer exclusive introductory fares, with standard basic seats starting from just AUD299. Unlike traditional low-cost competitors, TransNusa’s standard tickets include baggage allowances and baseline comfort amenities, including complimentary water and snacks.

Flight schedule

Flight 8B18 departs Bali (DPS) at 2045 from I Gusti Ngurah International Airport, arriving at Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 0540 the following morning.
Flight 8B19 departs Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 0625, arriving in Bali (DPS) at 0940.

Initially, TransNusa will operate four flights weekly, scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The airline will increase frequency to daily flights effective 15 November.

Travellers can book tickets via the airline’s official website or through authorised travel booking platforms.

(Source: TransNusa)

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Western Sydney becomes Qatar Airways’ seventh Australian gateway, alongside Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER), Adelaide (ADL), and Canberra (CBR).

Unlike SYD Airport, Western Sydney Airport operates 24 hours a day.

Fights from Doha to Western Sydney Airport (50 km from downtown Sydney) will go on sale on 19 December 2026. The advance timetable shows three weekly flights on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring Qsuite business class, with 42 business class and 312 economy class seats. 

Flights to Western Sydney International Airport (WSI)

Starting 15 December 2027, flights from Doha will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:
Doha (DOH) to Western Sydney (WSI) – Flight QR906: Departure 0140; Arrival 2345.

Flights from Western Sydney will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday:
Western Sydney (WSI) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR907: Departure 1610; Arrival 2300.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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To support the event, the airline is ramping up flights and expanding options across its network, connecting travellers directly from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Udon Thani with up to six daily flights, Chiang Mai with four weekly flights (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), and Phuket with four weekly flights (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat). 

The Udon Thani World Horticultural Expo 2026 runs from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 at Nong Dae Wetland (just 15 minutes from Udon Thani Airport). The AirAsia Garden features a specially designed livery model aircraft that weaves together stories of local waterways, flora, people, and iconic Udon Thani landmarks — such as the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site and the Red Lotus Lake — and links them to the airline’s sustainability roadmap to welcome all visitors.

(Source: Thai AirAsia)

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Air France and KLM moved their operations at Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5 on 20 October 2026. From that date, Air France and KLM travellers will check in, go through security, and depart from Terminal 5.

The move means that Air France and KLM will be grouped with other SkyTeam members in Terminal 5. Eligible Air France and KLM customers will have access to SAS lounges near gates E1 and F26.

Terminal 5 is Arlanda’s largest terminal and handles the majority of the airport’s international air traffic. The new security checkpoint uses modern technology that allows travellers to keep electronics and liquid containers up to 100 ml in their hand luggage during security, helping them move through more smoothly. 

(Source: Air France-KLM)

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The new seasonal nonstop service operates every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during the airline’s 2026–2027 UK winter season.

Representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket International Airport and Virgin Atlantic joined the welcoming ceremony and greeted arriving passengers on Monday 19 October.

Virgin Atlantic posted the news on its Facebook page, noting: “Our first flight has officially taken off, with ‘Queen Bee’ leading our new direct service from London Heathrow Airport to Phuket, Thailand, as the only UK airline to fly this route.”

The airline assigned a 258-seat Dreamliner 787-9, named Queen Bee, to the 12-hour-and-15-minute LHR-HKT flight.

TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, Chiravadee Khunsub said, “Virgin Atlantic’s new service gives UK travellers greater access to Phuket during the winter season. 

“Under TAT’s Airline Focus and Value over Volume directions, we are working with airline and travel trade partners to convert additional flight capacity into high-value tourism.”

The inaugural flight departed London Heathrow on 18 October and arrived in Phuket on 19 October. 

Flight schedule

VS214 departs London Heathrow (LHR) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1545 and arrives in Phuket at 0955 plus a day.
VS215 departs Phuket (HKT) on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 1145 and arrives at London Heathrow (LHR) at 1925.

Among the passengers were 29 Barrhead Travel representatives, led by Managing Director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, participating in TAT’s Joint Agent: Top Sellers Fam Trip. The programme offers UK travel sellers first-hand experience of Thailand’s tourism products and destinations to support future sales.

The route complements existing UK–Thailand nonstop services. Thai Airways International and EVA Air operate 21 weekly flights between London Heathrow and Bangkok. At the same time, British Airways, TUI, and Norse Atlantic Airways offer seasonal connections from London Gatwick and Manchester to Bangkok and Phuket.

TAT’s London Office partnered with Virgin Atlantic on a UK marketing campaign to stimulate travel for late 2026 and early 2027. Combining digital advertising, Thailand-themed promotions at Virgin Atlantic Holidays outlets, email newsletters, and in-store displays, the campaign generated 9,079 bookings on the London Heathrow–Phuket route and reached at least 5.41 million people.

The UK ranks among Thailand’s five highest tourism revenue-generating markets. In 2025, UK arrivals surpassed 1 million for the first time, generating THB74,515 million, up 21.7% year on year. From 1 January to 3 September 2026, Thailand welcomed 682,684 UK visitors, with demand showing improvement ahead of the winter season.

UK travellers stay an average of 14.18 days and spend THB61,615 per person per trip. First-time visitors account for 56.99% and repeat visitors 43.01%. Leading destinations for UK travellers include Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani and Chiang Mai, reflecting demand for Thailand’s combination of coastal holidays, culture, gastronomy, wellness and nature-based experiences.

(Source: TAT plus Virgin Atlantic)

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The Airbus A350-900, registered HB-IFC and named ‘Zug ’, is the third aircraft of its type to join the Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) fleet, following ‘Lausanne’ (HB-IFA) and ‘Delémont’ (HB-IFB).  

From 19 October, SWISS deployed the A350 on services between Zurich and Shanghai and Zurich and Johannesburg. 

SWISS will add 10 Airbus A350-900s to its fleet by 2030. Like the first two A350s, the latest addition features the new “SWISS Senses” cabin, offering guests a new travel experience across all four classes of travel: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. 

In related news, SWISS will offer its first-ever service to Bengaluru, India (starting 27 October) during the 2026/27 winter schedule, with five weekly flights. Bengaluru becomes SWISS’s third destination in India, joining Delhi and Mumbai.

The new eastbound LX140 service will depart Zurich daily (except Mondays and Wednesdays) at 1320 and arrive in Bengaluru at 0255 the following day. 

The westbound LX 141 service will leave Bengaluru daily (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) at 0450 and arrive in Zurich at 1050 the same day.

The 2026/27 winter timetable period will run from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Overall, SWISS will serve 88 destinations from Zurich and Geneva in its upcoming winter schedules.

(Source: SWISS)

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For the first time, the leisure airline will connect Frankfurt with Edmonton, Canada, and Belize City, Belize. The airline’s presence in Munich will also continue to grow.

Beginning 1 June 2027, Discover Airlines will fly three times a week from Frankfurt to Edmonton (YEG), Alberta, Canada. 

Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This will make Discover Airlines the only carrier offering nonstop service from Germany to the city, an ideal gateway to the Canadian Rockies. 

Edmonton complements the airline’s existing Canadian destinations of Calgary and Halifax and creates new road-trip opportunities —for example, flying into Edmonton and returning from Calgary.

Belize will be a special highlight of the winter schedule: Beginning 16 December 2027, Discover Airlines will become the first European airline to serve the Central American country. Located between Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea, Belize captivates visitors with its Caribbean islands, rich biodiversity, and fascinating remnants of Maya culture. 

English is the official language, and the destination remains relatively unknown in Europe. Flights from Frankfurt to Belize City will operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays through mid-April 2028. 

Beginning in late March 2027, Discover Airlines will also take over Lufthansa’s service from Frankfurt and Munich to Seattle (SEA), which currently operates up to daily. Nothing will change for guests with existing bookings; the booking system will be updated automatically in the coming weeks.

The addition of Seattle service, together with the previously announced increase in Windhoek service to five weekly flights, will further expand Munich’s offering. An additional Airbus A330-300 will also join the Munich fleet in March 2027, bringing the total to 10 aircraft.

(Source: Discover Airlines)

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Batam is in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province, a one-hour and 25-minute flight from Penang.

The airline schedules three weekly services departing Penang on  Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using a 169-seat B737-800. The round-trip fare starts at USD187 (Kayak quote). 

Flight schedule

OD358 departs Penang (PEN) at 1010 and arrives in Batam (BTH) at 1050.

OD359 departs Batam (BTH) at 1130 and arrives in Penang (PEN) at 1355.

The new Penang-Batam route reflects the airline’s commitment to expand travel options in Malaysia’s northern region and support Penang’s growing potential as a regional medical tourism hub.

By connecting Batam directly to Penang, Batik Air aims to create more opportunities for tourism, cross-border business, and healthcare travel, further supporting the region’s long-term growth and development.

The inaugural flight arrived at Penang International Airport on 18 October, marking a milestone in Batik Air’s continued regional network expansion. 

The new Batam–Penang (BTH–PEN) route strengthens the connection between Indonesia’s Riau Islands and northern Malaysia, offering passengers a more convenient option without the need for transit stops. 

As northern Malaysia strengthens its position as a key regional travel destination, the new service offers more opportunities for Indonesian visitors to discover Penang’s rich cultural heritage, renowned culinary scene, and diverse tourism attractions. At the same time, the direct connection is designed to facilitate business exchanges and strengthen economic ties between the two destinations, reinforcing the importance of accessible air connectivity in supporting sustainable regional growth.

Beyond leisure and business travel, the Batam–Penang route also underscores Batik Air’s commitment to supporting Penang’s continued development as a medical tourism destination. 

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the new route reflects the airline’s long-term vision of strengthening regional connectivity, providing more accessible travel options, and creating greater opportunities for Northern Malaysia.

“As we continue to grow our regional network, our focus is on opening new gateways, expanding travel choices and connecting markets with strong potential. The Batam–Penang route strengthens ties between Indonesia and Northern Malaysia, while supporting Penang’s ambitions as a leading destination for tourism and medical care. We see air connectivity as a key enabler of long-term growth and remain committed to building a future-ready network that delivers greater value to our passengers and the communities we serve.”

(Source: Batik Air)

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Passengers travelling to or from Jeddah and Madinah are advised to verify their flight schedules and update their contact details via ‘My Booking’ on the Malaysia Airlines website or mobile app.

Passengers who booked through third-party platforms or travel agents are advised to contact their booking provider directly about their travel arrangements.

In a press statement, Malaysia Airlines said it “appreciates the patience and understanding of its passengers during the temporary flight suspensions. The airline continues to closely monitor developments in the region, with the safety and security of our passengers and crew remaining our highest priority.”

Airlines resuming operations to Saudi Arabia

• Malaysia Airlines: Resumed scheduled operations to and from Jeddah and Madinah starting 18 October 2026, following security reviews.
• Gulf Air: Bahrain’s flag carrier announced that, after temporary cancellations through 17 October, it resumed scheduled flight operations on 18 October.
• SriLankan Airlines: Resumed flight operations starting 18 October.
• Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings): Short-term temporary suspensions ended after 16 October. Operational evaluations were initiated to restart flights on a route-by-route basis.

Airlines extending suspensions or postponing service

Many other international carriers have maintained or extended flight suspensions due to safety assessments and operational repositioning:

• Etihad Airways & flydubai: Extended temporary cancellations through 18 and 19 October.
• Air India & Air India Express: Suspended flights through 20 October.
• Akasa Air & IndiGo: Suspended services to Saudi destinations (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam) through 21 to 24 October.
• Air France-KLM: Suspended services through to the end of October.
• Philippine Airlines: Suspended Riyadh routes through 29 November.
• Cathay Pacific: Delayed return on Hong Kong–Riyadh/Dubai routes until 31 January, 2027.
• Delta Air Lines: Postponed its planned Atlanta–Riyadh route launch to March 2027.

Note: Schedules and security assessments change rapidly during active re-openings. Passengers are strongly advised to verify flight status directly with the respective airlines before travel.

(Source: MH and airline updates)

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Book these special fares by 25 October 2026, for travel between 2 November 2026 and 30 September 2027.

Campaign highlights

Special offer: Up to 30% off All Seats, All Flights (across both domestic and international routes).

Booking period: Closes at midnight on 25 October 2026. Bookings are open on AirAsia MOVE and airline websites.

Travel period: 2 November 2026 – 30 September 2027

The deal comes with a one-time flight change fee waiver** with zero processing fees (fare differences may apply) and applies to Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X across a network of 53 routes to 46 cities. 

*Discount applies to one-way travel, base fare only, not inclusive of passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees. 

**Fare differences may apply. T&C apply.

(Source: AirAsia)

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