(Posted 22nd September 2026)   German leisure airline Condor has made its direct Frankfurt-Seychelles service year-round, ending the roughly four-month seasonal gap on a route linking the island natio...

Regional air routes in New Zealand are facing significant challenges due to rising fuel costs, economic pressures, and the 'thin-route' problem where flights are unprofitable. Air New Zealand has cut services, prompting calls for government support. The article explores the impact on communities reliant on these routes and compares New Zealand's situation to international examples like Canada and the US. Solutions proposed include targeted subsidies, route restructuring, and public-private partnerships. The piece highlights the tension between maintaining essential connectivity and the financial viability of regional aviation, emphasizing the need for balanced policy to ensure access without compromising service sustainability.

GEORGE TOWN, March 23 (Bernama) — Penang is set to achieve a significant milestone with the launch of its first direct flight connecting Qingdao, China and the state on March 31, marking a major step in enhancing air connectivity between Malaysia and China. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said that the new route, to be operated by Qingdao Airlines, represents a crucial development in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in tourism, trade and cultural exchanges “With the introduction of this route, Qingdao will become the northernmost city in China currently connected to Penang via direct flights. […]

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met UAE Ambassador Dr. Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali to discuss trade, investment, and direct flights between Punjab and UAE, aiming to enhance economic ties and cultural exchange...

FINER hails Union Budget 2025 for expanding UDAN scheme, boosting regional connectivity, tourism, and economic growth in northeast India. Income tax cuts, MSME support.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils a modified UDAN scheme in Budget 2025-26, boosting regional connectivity with 120 new destinations and air cargo infrastructure.

Air India Express will launch new flight routes from Amritsar to Bengaluru and Bangkok on Dec 27, 2024, boosting air connectivity and tourism in Punjab.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has said that flights to Southeast Asian countries from Shillong take less time than those to Delhi, and this potential can be used to expand horizons in the ...

The Arunachal govt has urged the Centre to fulfil its earlier assurances on expanding air connectivity in the state, ahead of the scheduled

Malaysia is intensifying its aviation expansion strategy ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, rolling out new direct and seasonal air services from mainland China and Hong Kong to multiple entry points across the country. According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, the latest route additions signal renewed airline confidence in Malaysia’s tourism market and reinforce the country’s …

After a more than five-year pause, India and China will resume direct air service later this month. Leading the comeback, Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo—led by CEO Pieter Elbers—will recommence daily flights on October 26, 2025, between Kolkata in eastern India and Guangzhou in southern China. Elbers noted this is a “very important step” and that IndiGo intends to introduce further direct routes into China.