ch-aviation
• Dirk Andrei Salcedo
Qatar Airways expands Oceania footprint with Melbourne–Auckland launch; additional NW26 service increases filed
Qatar Airways has launched plans for Melbourne–Auckland service starting December 2026, positioning the carrier to directly challenge incumbents on the high-profile trans-Tasman market. In its Northern winter 2026/27 filings, the airline also revised Oceania routing and frequencies. Separately, Air Niugini will resume Port Moresby–Auckland flights 3x weekly on Nov. 17, 2026, returning to a route last served in 1998.
