Etihad Airways Launches First-Ever Abu Dhabi–Palma de Mallorca Service with A321LR
Etihad Airways launched its first-ever service to Palma de Mallorca in the week of June 10–16, operating three-weekly A321LR flights from Abu Dhabi to the Spanish Mediterranean island — a destination that had never previously had a Gulf carrier connection from Dubai either.
American Airlines Launches Daily Miami–Maracaibo Flights, First US Nonstop to Venezuela's Second City
American Airlines will launch the only nonstop US–Maracaibo service on July 14, using Embraer 175 aircraft from Miami — the first commercial flight by a US carrier to Venezuela's second-largest city since 2019, following the lifting of the federal flight ban earlier this year.
Etihad Airways Launches First-Ever Abu Dhabi–Krakow Flights with A321LR
Etihad Airways launched its first-ever service to Krakow in the week of June 10–16, operating three-weekly A321LR flights from Abu Dhabi to Poland's primary inbound tourist city.
Airlink Launches Cape Town–Mauritius, Its First-Ever Indian Ocean Island Route
South African carrier Airlink will launch its first-ever service to Mauritius on October 2, connecting Cape Town to the Indian Ocean island twice weekly with its new Embraer E195-E2 fleet — one of the longest scheduled E195-E2 routes in the world.
Qatar Airways Returns to Philadelphia with Daily Flights
Qatar Airways will resume daily Doha–Philadelphia service from August 1, filling the gap left by American Airlines and expanding its North American network to 14 destinations with Qsuite-equipped A350-900 aircraft.
Etihad and TAROM Open New Links Across Eastern Europe
Etihad Airways confirmed its Abu Dhabi–Bucharest resumption will launch December 17, announcing a codeshare with Romania's TAROM at the IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro that links six Romanian cities and four Eastern European capitals to Abu Dhabi.
Riyadh Air opens ticket sales for Dubai, Cairo, Madrid, Manchester and Jeddah as Saudi airline accelerates expansion
Saudi Arabia's new carrier Riyadh Air announced on June 8 that it will launch three-weekly Riyadh–Manchester service starting July 23, marking the airline's second UK destination as it accelerates its public network rollout.
TAAG Expands Long-Haul Network with Direct Luanda-Guangzhou Flights
TAAG Angola Airlines confirmed on 4 June 2026 the launch of weekly nonstop flights between Luanda and Guangzhou starting 23 June, opening the only direct air link between Angola and mainland China aboard a Boeing 787-9.
Air Canada Launches Halifax–Brussels, Its Longest 737 MAX Route
Air Canada launches Halifax–Brussels with a 737 MAX 8, setting a new distance record as Air Canada's longest-ever service from Nova Scotia at 2,670 nautical miles and giving the province its first direct Star Alliance hub link to Belgium.
Royal Air Maroc Launches First Nonstop Service Between Los Angeles and Casablanca
Royal Air Maroc creates Africa's first direct air link to the U.S. West Coast with a three-weekly Casablanca–Los Angeles nonstop launching June 7, timed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Israel's El Al to resume San Francisco flights to link Tel Aviv and Silicon Valley
El Al restores nonstop Tel Aviv–San Francisco service from October 25, reviving a pandemic-era casualty and making San Francisco the carrier's sixth U.S. destination.
China Eastern Airlines to Launch 'Shanghai-Zurich' Service on June 18
China Eastern Airlines opens Shanghai Pudong–Zurich on June 18 with three weekly A350-900 flights, giving Switzerland a second direct Chinese carrier connection alongside the existing Shanghai–Geneva route.
EVA Air Launches Nonstop Service Between Taipei and Washington, D.C. on June 26
EVA Air becomes the first Taiwanese carrier to serve Washington Dulles, launching four weekly nonstop flights from Taipei on June 26 and expanding its North American network to 10 gateways.
Air Transat Launches New Non-Stop Service Between Montreal and Istanbul
Air Transat adds a year-round Montreal–Istanbul nonstop to its Turkish network, giving Canada up to five weekly departures to the city when combined with its existing Toronto service.
Air Transat Adds Dakar and Reykjavik to its 2026 Summer Program
Air Transat launches the only nonstop Canada–West Africa link, connecting Montreal to Dakar twice weekly starting June 17 — the first direct service between Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Beijing to Introduce Multiple Direct Flights to Europe
Air China launches daily Beijing Daxing–Milan Malpensa service on June 13, its first long-haul European route from Beijing's second airport, complementing the existing PEK–MXP service.
Air Canada Launches Montreal–Catania, Canada's First Nonstop to Sicily
Air Canada launches the first-ever scheduled service from Canada to Sicily, with three-weekly Montreal–Catania flights starting June 4 aboard a Boeing 787-8.
Air Transat Launches Montreal–Agadir, a North American First for Morocco
Air Transat becomes the first North American carrier to serve Agadir nonstop, launching weekly Montreal–Agadir flights on June 12 using an A321LR.
New Chapter to Europe: Direct Flights to Prague from August 1, 2026
Starlux Airlines launches its first-ever European route with three-weekly Taipei–Prague flights from August 1, making the Taiwanese carrier only the second airline to serve Prague nonstop from Taiwan.
AirAsia X goes global with launch of Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route
AirAsia X returns to London Gatwick after 14 years, launching a one-stop Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London service on June 26 at four-weekly frequency before ramping to daily in September.