News

FlightGlobal • Alfred Chua

IATA: May 2026 global air cargo demand up 6% Y/Y as capacity lags (6.5% international growth)

IATA data shows global air cargo demand rose 6.0% year-on-year in May 2026, with international volumes up 6.5% while capacity increased 1.9%, lifting load factors. Growth was strongest on transpacific trade lanes, and demand rose in all regions except the Middle East.

2026-06-29T02:40:18.050748-07:00

AeroTime

Qantas to lift Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) capacity for Dec–Mar 2027 peak

2026-06-29T06:55:35.219583-07:00

AeroTime

Vietjet seeks Australian regulatory approval to launch a domestic airline operation, challenging the Qantas–Virgin Australia duo

2026-06-29T05:41:57.880586-07:00

AirInsight

COMAC limits Airbus A220 and A320neo-family “crossover” momentum in China: 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 orders—with zero Chinese a

2026-06-29T05:55:31.763688-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

China–Russia joint air patrol over the East China Sea includes J-16 fighters escorting H-6K and Tu-95 bombers as US/Japanese int A Sino-Russian bomber patrol over the East China Sea involved J-16 fighters escorting H-6K and Tu-95 strategic bombers, with tankers and other support aircraft participating. US and Japanese fighters intercepted the formation, underscoring persistent maritime-air activity and regional response patterns.

2026-06-29T10:25:56.872379-07:00

China–Russia joint air patrol over the East China Sea includes J-16 fighters escorting H-6K and Tu-95 bombers as US/Japanese int

AeroTime

Qantas to lift Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) capacity for Dec–Mar 2027 peak Qantas will temporarily increase Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) service from daily operations to 11 flights per week for the December 2 to March 27 2027 peak travel period. The airline also added capacity across the Tasman, expanding Japan and New Zealand routes by more than 45,000 seats for summer demand.

2026-06-29T06:55:35.219583-07:00

Qantas to lift Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) capacity for Dec–Mar 2027 peak

AirInsight

COMAC limits Airbus A220 and A320neo-family “crossover” momentum in China: 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 orders—with zero Chinese a China has not taken either the Airbus A220 or its E2 variant, despite a combined 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 order book. The cluster points to COMAC as the central driver—though with nuance—highlighting how China’s domestic OEM ecosystem shapes airline fleet decisions.

2026-06-29T05:55:31.763688-07:00

COMAC limits Airbus A220 and A320neo-family “crossover” momentum in China: 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 orders—with zero Chinese a

AeroTime

Vietjet seeks Australian regulatory approval to launch a domestic airline operation, challenging the Qantas–Virgin Australia duo Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet is seeking regulatory approval to establish an Australian airline and operate domestic services. If approved, it would be the first international carrier to enter Australia’s domestic market in more than a decade, directly challenging the Qantas and Virgin Australia incumbents.

2026-06-29T05:41:57.880586-07:00

Vietjet seeks Australian regulatory approval to launch a domestic airline operation, challenging the Qantas–Virgin Australia duo

AeroTime

China and Russia conduct 11th joint strategic bomber patrol over the Pacific, prompting Japanese and South Korean intercepts China and Russia flew their 11th joint strategic air patrol featuring bombers, fighters, tankers and support aircraft across the Pacific, drawing Japanese and South Korean interceptors. The mission signals continued PLA–Russian operational cooperation and sustained activity over regional waters and lanes.

2026-06-29T04:26:09.923266-07:00

China and Russia conduct 11th joint strategic bomber patrol over the Pacific, prompting Japanese and South Korean intercepts

AeroTime

Philippine Airlines to restart nonstop Manila–Dubai service from Oct. 2, 2026 with four weekly flights Philippine Airlines will resume nonstop flights between Manila and Dubai starting Oct. 2, 2026, restoring direct service between the Philippines and one of the Middle East’s principal travel and commercial hubs. The route will launch with four weekly flights.

2026-06-29T03:27:51.135097-07:00

Philippine Airlines to restart nonstop Manila–Dubai service from Oct. 2, 2026 with four weekly flights

FlightGlobal

❗️

IATA: May 2026 global air cargo demand up 6% Y/Y as capacity lags (6.5% international growth) IATA data shows global air cargo demand rose 6.0% year-on-year in May 2026, with international volumes up 6.5% while capacity increased 1.9%, lifting load factors. Growth was strongest on transpacific trade lanes, and demand rose in all regions except the Middle East.

2026-06-29T02:40:18.050748-07:00

IATA: May 2026 global air cargo demand up 6% Y/Y as capacity lags (6.5% international growth)

FlightGlobal

Star Alliance chief Theo Panagiotoulias says Asia coverage remains strong despite Asiana Airlines’ impending exit Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias said the alliance is comfortable with its network footprint in Asia even as Korean carrier Asiana Airlines prepares to leave. He pointed to broad regional coverage and an ongoing focus on customer experience as core reasons the grouping expects to sustain value in-market.

2026-06-29T00:55:31.329192-07:00

Star Alliance chief Theo Panagiotoulias says Asia coverage remains strong despite Asiana Airlines’ impending exit

Menu

Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

IATA: May 2026 global air cargo demand up 6% Y/Y as capacity lags (6.5% international growth)

Qantas to lift Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) capacity for Dec–Mar 2027 peak

Vietjet seeks Australian regulatory approval to launch a domestic airline operation, challenging the Qantas–Virgin Australia duo

COMAC limits Airbus A220 and A320neo-family “crossover” momentum in China: 1,000 A220 and 500 A220 E2 orders—with zero Chinese a

News Timeline