Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C March 17, 2025)

Aaron Karp David Casey March 21, 2025

vietjet jet on runway — Credit: Rob Finlayson

The latest airline route news, featuring network changes, schedule alterations, codeshares and interline agreements.

March 21

Etihad Airways and Ethiopian Airlines signed a joint venture (JV) agreement that will include both airlines flying the Abu Dhabi (AUH)-Addis Ababa (ADD) route. Ethiopian plans to begin daily flights between ADD and AUH from July 15, while AUH-based Etihad will open daily service on the route from Oct. 15. “Subject to regulatory approval, the Etihad-Ethiopian JV will enable both airlines to collaborate in developing and expanding routes between the UAE and Ethiopia, as well as enhancing connectivity across their respective networks,” Etihad said in a statement. Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves added the JV “paves the way for deeper discussions on working together across our respective regions on other cooperation, including frequent flyer programs, training and cargo.” Ethiopian said it will use Boeing 777 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on the ADD-AUH route, while Etihad plans to use an Airbus A320-family aircraft.

Vietjet has launched two new routes from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to India. Flights to Bengaluru will operate 3X-weekly. Service to Hyderabad will be flown 2X-weekly. The carrier noted it now operates 78 weekly flights between Vietnam and India. Additionally, Vietjet unveiled it will begin service between SGN and Nagoya, Japan, on April 24, flying the route 4X-weekly. From April 25, the airline will open 3X-weekly service between SGN and Fukouka, Japan.

Uganda Airlines launched flights between Entebbe International Airport (EBB) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). The route will be flown 4X-weekly. “This new route represents Uganda Airlines' first foray into Europe and reestablishes a direct air link between Entebbe and the UK after nearly a decade,” Uganda Airlines said. The EBB-LGW route will be operated with an Airbus A330-800 aircraft.

March 20

Jazeera Airways will open service between its Kuwait International Airport base and Sarajevo from March 27. The airline previously served the route, which it will now fly 2X-weekly. Deputy CEO and CFO Krishnan Balakrishnan said the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a “destination that holds immense appeal for Kuwaiti travelers.”

IndiGo will launch a domestic route between Indian cities Lucknow and Srinagar from March 30. “Srinagar is a key economic center in Jammu and Kashmir, and with Lucknow’s emergence as a major commercial and educational hub in Uttar Pradesh, this new route will significantly boost business travel between the cities,” the carrier said. The airline offers more than 230 weekly flights from Lucknow to 20 destinations, including 17 domestic points. With the new route, IndiGo will operate to 10 domestic destinations from Srinagar, offering more than 150 weekly departures.

Ryanair will commence service between Manchester Airport in England and the Moroccan capital Rabat from March 30. Flights to Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) will operate 2X-weekly. The route will be exclusive to Ryanair. The ULCC also operates to RBA from London Stansted Airport, the only other UK airport connected to RBA.

South Africa’s Airlink will add three more weekly flights on the Johannesburg-Nairobi route, adding to daily service that has been operated since 2023. The carrier will also boost weekly frequencies between Johannesburg and Lusaka from 13 to 21. The additional flights on both routes will begin on March 30.

March 19

Gulf Air will resume service to Nairobi with five weekly flights starting June 2, marking its return to the Kenyan capital for the first time since 2012. The Bahraini national carrier will operate the route with Airbus A320neo aircraft, offering flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The move is part of Gulf Air’s broader strategy to expand its African network and strengthen ties between Bahrain and Kenya.

Ethiopian Airlines will launch a new four-times-weekly service between Addis Ababa and Hanoi, Vietnam, via Dhaka, Bangladesh, starting July 10, further expanding its presence in Southeast Asia. The route will provide a direct link between Africa and Vietnam, enhancing trade, tourism and cultural ties between the regions.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will expand its network in June with new routes to Beirut and Gabala, Azerbaijan, offering 3X-weekly flights to each destination. Flights to Beirut will begin on June 4, operating Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Service to Gabala, a previously unserved destination from Abu Dhabi, will launch on June 19, flying Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Batik Air plans to launch year-round flights between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne, Australia. The Malaysian carrier, part of the Lion Air Group, intends to operate four weekly services using a 377-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The new route will supplement the carrier’s daily flights between Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Bali. “Having three airline groups offering year-round service between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur makes this route more competitive than most Australian domestic routes,” MEL CEO Lorie Argus says. AirAsia X and Malaysia Airlines also operate the route.

Emirates will expand its Airbus A350 network to seven new cities starting in June as additional aircraft featuring its latest cabin products enter service. The airline will deploy the A350 to Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Baghdad and Oslo, marking the aircraft’s debut in Africa and Southeast Asia. “The introduction of this aircraft and layering it on existing route schedules also enables Emirates to maintain a compelling competitive position,” says Emirates Deputy President and CCO Adnan Kazim.

March 18

China Eastern Airlines will launch a new route between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport on April 28, becoming the first Chinese carrier to directly connect the two cities. The service will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Airbus A330 aircraft. The launch follows a joint venture agreement signed in June 2024 between China Eastern and Etihad Airways, aimed at jointly promoting and operating the route, strengthening connectivity and commercial cooperation between China and the UAE.

Starting July 2, Kenya Airways will begin operating flights to London Gatwick Airport from its hub at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Service from Nairobi will be offered three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. This new route will complement the airline’s existing daily flights to London Heathrow, increasing its total frequency to the UK capital to 10 flights per week.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced a new service connecting Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport, Armenia, starting June 1. The route will operate six times per week, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays using Airbus A320 aircraft. The expansion marks the carrier’s 29th destination from Abu Dhabi.

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, will launch a new route between Hanimaadhoo International Airport and Bangalore, India, starting May 15. The service will operate twice weekly, with flights on Sundays and Thursdays, aimed at improving connectivity between the Maldives’ northern islands and India. “With our existing services between Trivandrum and Hanimaadhoo, we are further solidifying our commitment to connecting the northern islands with key regional destinations,” says Maldivian MD Ibrahim Iyas.

Omani LCC SalamAir has launched its inaugural service from Muscat to Nairobi, Kenya, marking its first entry into the East African market. The inaugural flight arrived at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 17, and was attended by senior Omani and Kenyan officials. “This new route supports our vision to connect Oman to key global destinations, strengthening economic and cultural ties in alignment with Oman Vision 2040,” SalamAir CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns says.

Spirit Airlines will launch new nonstop flights from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport to Los Angeles, Baltimore and Nashville starting in May 2025. Service to Los Angeles begins May 8, operating Thursdays and Sundays, while flights to Baltimore and Nashville begin May 9, operating Fridays and Mondays. The new routes will be operated using Airbus A320 aircraft.

March 17

Connectivity between Australia’s Northern Territory and Asia is set to grow with AirAsia Malaysia launching a new nonstop service between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur. The new route will add nearly 100,000 seats annually between the two cities. The service will begin on June 27 with four return flights per week using Airbus A321 aircraft, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. “This route directly responds to demand from our community, who have long called for more affordable travel options to key destinations like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and India,” says Rob Porter, executive general manager at Airport Development Group, which manages Darwin International Airport.

Spanish LCC Vueling is expanding its Cardiff Airport, Wales, services with additional flights to Málaga, Spain. Starting June 24, the route will increase to four departures per week, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. From Sept. 16 to Oct. 25, the frequency will rise to five weekly flights, adding Sundays. “Vueling is a key airline partner, operating from Wales for over 12 years, connecting Wales to key cities in Spain, allowing tourism and business connectivity,” says Cardiff Airport head of business development, Lee Smith. Meanwhile, TUI Airways plans on Dec. 20 to launch weekly route between Cardiff and Salzburg, Austria, restoring nonstop flights between the cities for the first time in 32 years.

Slovenia’s Infrastructure Ministry has issued a public call for tenders offering €16.8 million ($18.3 million) in state aid to enhance the country’s air connectivity. The program aims to stimulate new direct air routes between Slovenia and destinations within the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA). Eligible airlines holding a European Union or ECAA operating license can apply for subsidies covering 50% of airport charges for a period of up to two years, ending no later than Oct. 31. Priority will be given to 10 key destinations including Vienna, Amsterdam, Berlin and Athens, with seven additional complementary routes and a third category covering other ECAA destinations.