Berlin sits as the political heart of Europe’s largest economy. A city of 3.9 million people, it is home to a thriving start-up ecosystem, a well-established diplomatic community, and a cultural scene that draws millions of visitors each year. Yet its long-haul connectivity has not kept pace with the city’s strong global credentials. According to OAG schedule data, over 85% of Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s international connectivity is concentrated within Europe.

Stuttgart faces a comparable gap in long-haul services. The economic engine of Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s most export-driven states, remains underserved when it comes to long-haul air connectivity, the very kind of connectivity manufacturers, suppliers, and trading partners depend upon.

Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark said: “Emirates is ready to bring daily widebody connectivity to Berlin and Stuttgart and connect them with our extensive network, backed by substantial investment. These are two of Germany’s most important economic centres, yet both remain underserved in terms of long-haul connectivity. German businesses have told us they need it; the Berlin Chamber of Commerce has called for it; our own data confirms demand; and flights are forecast to be full. Emirates already connects Germany to 50 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australasia that no German airline serves. These are destinations that matter to German exporters, tourism operators, and the millions of travellers looking for more choice and better connections. All we are asking for is the opportunity to serve these cities and their communities, and we remain committed to working constructively with the German authorities to make that a reality and deliver tangible benefits that would be felt across both city regions from day one of our operations.”

Economic impact and job creation

New Emirates routes to both cities would generate hundreds of new jobs. A 2012 study by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) estimated that a daily Emirates service to both Berlin and Stuttgart would create close to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. That figure remains broadly consistent today.

Of the 2.36 million passengers carried on Emirates’ flights to and from Germany in 2025, 40% flew between Dubai and Germany, while 60% were connecting passengers, underscoring Dubai’s dual role as a premium destination, a growing source market, and a global transfer hub. 

If daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart were permitted, Emirates would offer convenient one-stop connections for German travellers and businesses in these cities and regions.

Today, Berlin and Stuttgart are connected directly to Dubai exclusively by narrow-body aircraft with limited onboard amenities, and only seasonally. A daily Emirates Boeing 777 service would deliver a step change, not only in passenger experience and comfort, but also in cargo capacity.

Germany logged nearly 1.2 million overnight stays by GCC visitors in 2024, a valuable tourism segment that stays longer, spends more, and has a direct, positive impact on tourism revenues. GCC visitors contributed an estimated EUR2.3 billion to the German economy in 2024 alone. The German National Tourist Board projects GCC visitor numbers will reach 3 million annually by the end of the decade.

Looking ahead

The airline argues that the economic case is clear. Daily Emirates services to Berlin and Stuttgart would create hundreds of jobs, strengthen trade links, open up underserved destinations, and attract high-value tourism.

Emirates believes these services would complement Germany’s existing aviation ecosystem, offering travellers and businesses greater choice and competition on routes where it is needed most.

The airline remains committed to engaging constructively with the German Federal Government and looks forward to the opportunity to bring the benefits of long-haul connectivity to Berlin and Stuttgart.

For more information, check: www.emirates.com.

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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The reinstated service expands the airline’s North American network to 14 destinations, further strengthening its connectivity for travellers across the region.

Qatar Airways will resume direct flights to the largest city in Pennsylvania, operating Airbus A350-900 aircraft equipped with the airline’s award-winning Qsuite business class and Starlink.

The resumption of flights reflects the airline’s commitment to the US market while providing seamless connections to destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East via Hamad International Airport. In the US, the resumed US flights will provide onward connectivity through Qatar Airways’ oneworld partner, American Airlines.

Since launching its inaugural US service to New York in 2007, Qatar Airways has steadily expanded its presence across North America, offering passengers increased flexibility, premium travel experiences, and seamless connectivity to more than 160 destinations worldwide.

Qatar Airways flights to Philadelphia (PHL)
Departing daily from 1 August 2026:

Qatar Airways will operate flights to the following North American destinations this summer: Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Montreal (YUL), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Toronto (YYZ), and Washington D.C. (IAD).

(Source: Qatar Airways)

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The brand-new airline flying the Saudi Arabian flag took delivery of its first three Boeing 787-9 aircraft ahead of its “official launch” of international services on 10 June to London Heathrow.

The airline previously operated ad hoc flights to London using a leased 747-900, with ticket sales limited to the airline’s staff and their families.

Flights to each destination are scheduled to begin on the following dates:

Each of these five routes will be served by Riyadh Air’s 787-9 Dreamliners.

In addition to these scheduled route launches, Riyadh Air confirmed that its inaugural flight to London, using the brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, took off from Riyadh on 10 June. 

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas stated: “This is a major step in our journey to connect Riyadh to the world. But this is just the beginning of our rapid expansion in the coming weeks to many more exciting destinations.”

Douglas added: “These routes have been carefully selected to serve key markets for business, tourism, and trade, and are designed to facilitate seamless transit for travellers from Europe to destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and beyond, aligning with our ambition to become a global airline and a significant contributor to Vision 2030.”

Riyadh Air’s new 787-9 Dreamliners offer a four-class configuration – Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

(Source: Riyadh Air)

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Kabul joined the Etihad network in March 2026, initially operating four times weekly. Demand has significantly exceeded expectations, with strong take-up from both point-to-point travellers and those using Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport as a hub to connect onwards to Europe and beyond.

The route is flown by Airbus A320 aircraft configured with eight business and 150 economy seats. With double-daily flights now in place, travellers between Afghanistan and the UAE will have considerably more choice over departure times, whether travelling for family, business or leisure.

Afghanistan has longstanding ties with the UAE, which is home to one of the Gulf’s largest Afghan communities. For the hundreds of thousands of Afghans living and working across the country, as well as those with business and trade connections between the two nations, the expanded schedule offers a more flexible and better-connected service.

Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said: “The response to our Kabul launch has been exceptional. Demand has remained strong from day one, and moving to double-daily is a direct reflection of what our guests have been telling us with their bookings.

“This rapid expansion is another example of the strategic approach we take to network development, allowing us to respond quickly to the wishes of our guests, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as an important gateway connecting regional markets with our global network.”

(Source: Etihad)

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SIA will deploy its Airbus A350-900 long-haul aircraft on the Singapore-Barcelona-Madrid route, configured with 253 seats: 42 in business class, 24 in premium economy, and 187 in economy.

It is part of a wider expansion that will progressively increase the frequencies on flights between Singapore and Manchester, Milan, Munich, and London Gatwick in the coming months and enhance connectivity options at its Singapore hub.

The five-times-weekly services to Madrid via Barcelona, subject to regulatory approvals, will replace SIA’s current twice-weekly Singapore-Barcelona services, SQ388 and SQ387, on the route, making Madrid SIA’s 15th destination in Europe and its second in Spain. 

Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Dai Haoyu, said: “Madrid is an increasingly popular tourist destination, as well as a financial and business hub. These new services will give our customers more choice and greater value when planning their travel.”

The inaugural flight to Madrid, SQ388, is scheduled to depart Singapore at 2330 on 26 October 2026 and arrive in Barcelona at 0640 on 27 October 2026. The flight will depart Barcelona at 0740 and arrive in Madrid at 0850 the same day. 

The return flight, SQ387, is scheduled to depart Madrid at 1000  on 27 October 2026, arrive in Barcelona at 1115, depart Barcelona at 1235 the same day, and arrive in Singapore at 0825 the next day. (All times are local).

Spain’s capital is known for its lively culture, world-class museums, and landmarks like the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is also a business and financial hub for the region and for South America.

Tickets for the new Madrid service have been available since 1 June 2026 via SIA’s distribution channels.

(Source: SIA)

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The relocation to T2 will enhance HK Express’s customer-handling capabilities, elevate the customer travel experience, and provide better facilities to support future growth in capacity and the route network. 

On its first day of operations at T2, HK Express’s early-morning peak period ran smoothly, with customers experiencing efficient, well-organised check-in and bag drop processes. A total of 47 flights departed, marking the start of the airline’s full-scale operations at the new terminal. 

“As the largest airline operating at Terminal 2, HK Express’s move to T2 represents not only a significant operational upgrade, but also a more solid platform for our future growth. With T2’s enhanced customer-handling capacity, advanced facilities, and new technology, we are confident we can further improve the customer experience by optimising service processes and accelerating the expansion of our route network to seize opportunities arising from the continuous growth in travel demand for Hong Kong and the region. We expect to achieve double-digit percentage growth in passenger traffic for the full year and will actively support the Airport Authority Hong Kong in achieving its target of over 70 million annual passenger trips,” said HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao.

With the summer travel peak season approaching, HK Express has made comprehensive preparations to meet the continuously rising demand for travel. The airline is also preparing to launch its Wuxi route on 17 July 2026, further expanding its regional route network and offering customers a wider range of travel options. In the future, HK Express will continue to drive the adoption of smart technologies, enhancing the customer experience through automation and digital services to deliver a more seamless and efficient journey.

(Source: HK Express)

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Based on one-way bookings made between March and May for departures between June and August 2026, Agoda reveals Thailand punches strong on domestic value, with fares on the Phuket-Bangkok route starting from just THB327. 

For international routes, Thai travellers can fly from Phuket to Singapore with fares starting at THB 751. Among other Asian markets, South Korea’s Busan to Jeju route leads domestic affordability at THB261, while the Tokyo-Taipei route tops the international chart at THB196.

The wet season in Thailand presents slightly lower temperatures and prompts a desire for value-driven getaways. Agoda’s latest data maps the most affordable domestic and international flight routes of the season, helping travellers make the most of their budgets without giving up on a satisfying holiday experience.

For Thai travellers looking to fly within the country this season, the Phuket-Bangkok route tops the value chart, with fares starting from just THB327. Bangkok has something for everyone, from iconic temples and world-famous street food to lively nightlife and shopping that ranges from luxury malls to open-air markets. June to August also falls during Thailand’s rainy season, when fewer tourists mean airlines tend to offer more competitive fares.

Regionally, South Korea’s Busan-Jeju route leads domestic affordability across all eight surveyed markets, with flights booked from THB261. Other affordable routes include Kuala Lumpur-Penang from THB327, Bangalore-Goa from THB719, Ho Chi Minh City-Tuy Hòa (Phú Yên) from THB784, Fukuoka-Tokyo from  THB817, Jakarta-Bandar Lampung from THB1,013, and Taichung-Penghu from THB1,372.

For Thai travellers crossing a border this season, the Phuket-Singapore route presents the headline deal of THB751. It puts Changi Airport within reach. Singapore is also a perennial favourite for Thai passport holders, with visa-free entry, world-class food, and duty-free shopping on offer. 

Regionally, the Tokyo-Taipei route tops the international affordability chart from THB196. Other attractive international options include Pekanbaru-Kuala Lumpur from THB523, Kuala Lumpur-Singapore from THB555, Taipei-Osaka from THB1,078, Busan-Fukuoka from  THB1,111, Ho Chi Minh City-Kuala Lumpur from THB1,111, and New Delhi-Dhaka from THB1,732.

Agoda Country Director, Thailand and Indochina, Akaporn Rodkong said: “Thailand’s travellers are some of the most value-savvy in Asia, and this wet season’s data reflects that appetite.

Our mission at Agoda is to enable travellers to see the world for less through affordable, accessible flight, accommodation and activity options. With flight and hotel bundles, seasonal campaigns, and coupon stacking all available on the platform, Thai travellers are better equipped than ever to make the most of every trip.”

(Source: Agoda)

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The announcement follows the Qantas Group and WSI finalising a five-year agreement for domestic passenger flights and freight, enabling both airlines to expand their schedules as demand for services grows in Western Sydney.

Jetstar will make history as the first commercial passenger flight to take off from the airport when JQ362 departs at 1100 on 25 October for the Gold Coast. The airline will operate up to 14 flights a week between WSI and Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast and three weekly flights to Brisbane*. All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft.

Qantas operations will begin on 28 March 2027 with four flights per week to both Melbourne and Brisbane on a QantasLink Embraer E190.

Qantas will also be one of the first commercial airlines to fly from the airport when its inaugural freighter service takes off from WSI’s 24-hour Cargo Precinct on the evening of Monday, 27 July.

It will increase overall flights to the Sydney basin, in addition to the airlines’ services from Kingsford Smith Airport.

Special launch fares for Qantas and Jetstar flights from WSI are available for purchase, with one-way economy fares available from AUD59^ on Jetstar to the Gold Coast and from AUD99* (economy) or AUD299 (business) on Qantas to Melbourne and Brisbane. All Qantas fares are inclusive of meals and baggage.

With the final terminal fit-out works taking place at Australia’s first major international greenfield airport in more than 50 years, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, joined senior executives from Qantas and Western Sydney International Airport at the terminal for the historic announcement.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said: “This is a major milestone for Australian aviation and one that has been years in the making. We’re incredibly proud that Jetstar will be the first Australian airline to begin operations at Western Sydney International Airport, and Qantas will follow early next year.

“We’re excited by the potential of Western Sydney International Airport to spur local tourism and make aviation more accessible for millions of people in Western Sydney, who currently have to travel to Kingsford Smith to catch a flight.

“Jetstar has an incredible history of growing new markets and being the first airline to launch will give one of the country’s fastest growing regions better access to low fares to some of our most popular destinations.

“We know there’s growing demand for customers in Western Sydney, and we’re proud to be working with Gold Coast Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland to make our services to South East Queensland a reality.

“WSI will also become a key hub for Qantas Freight, with more than 850 tonnes of freight expected to move through our new terminal each week, helping us meet growing demand for e-commerce and next-day deliveries.”

Schedules at WSI

*Qantas and Jetstar flights to and from Western Sydney International are subject to government and regulatory approval.   

Launch fares are available until sold out. 
^ Jetstar fares are one-way and exclude checked bags.
Travel dates and conditions apply. 
^^ Taxes, fees and carrier charges.

(Source: Qantas Group)

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Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate in areas including emergency response preparedness, deployment of registered counsellors during crises, psychosocial first aid (PFA), disaster response exercises, and specialised training programmes for AirAsia Group personnel.

Through the partnership, BOC will provide trained, registered counsellors to support employees, survivors, victims, and family members affected by emergencies or crises across the group’s operational network. 

The collaboration will also see both parties jointly enhance emergency response protocols and operational readiness through simulation exercises, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and continuous capability development programmes.

 AirAsia Group Group Chief Operations Officer Captain Suresh Bangah said: “Safety and the well-being of our guests have always been at the core of everything we do at AirAsia. This collaboration reflects our commitment to strengthening not only operational preparedness, but also the human aspect of a crisis response through professional psychosocial support.

“By working together with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia, we are reinforcing our ability to provide timely care, compassion and assistance to affected individuals, families and to our Allstars during challenging situations, while continuing to strengthen our overall emergency response framework across the region.”

As part of the collaboration, AirAsia Group will also facilitate transportation and logistical support for counsellors deployed during emergency response situations, training programmes and simulation exercises across selected destinations within the AirAsia network, enhancing preparedness for Group-related incidents.  

The MOA further reflects both organisations’ shared commitment towards promoting a stronger culture of safety, resilience and preparedness, while ensuring compassionate care remains an integral component of crisis management and humanitarian response.

*The name change from AirAsia X to AirAsia Group Berhad is subject to shareholder approval at the company’s 19th Annual General Meeting and registration by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).

(Source: AirAsia X)

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Flights to Larnaca, Cyprus, from Astana operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while flights from Almaty operate on Thursdays and Sundays. 

Flight time is five hours and 40 minutes from Astana to Larnaca and six hours and five minutes from Almaty to Larnaca.

Larnaca, located on the south-eastern coast of Cyprus, is a finance centre and one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations. 

In addition to Cyprus flights this summer, Air Astana will also operate seasonal services to leisure destinations in Turkey, Georgia and Montenegro.

(Source: Air Astana)

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