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FlightGlobal • Alfred Chua

IATA shows May 2026 air cargo demand up 6% YoY as transpac trade lifts volumes; China Southern Air Cargo books 2 B777-200Fs and

IATA reported May 2026 global air cargo demand rose 6.0% year-on-year, with international traffic up 6.5% while capacity increased 1.9%, lifting load factors. Separately, China Southern Air Cargo placed a direct order for two Boeing 777-200Fs and five 777-8Fs, becoming the first confirmed Chinese customer for the 777-8F.

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

AeroTime

Qantas to add capacity on Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) route through summer peak 2027

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

AeroTime

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

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

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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 add capacity on Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) route through summer peak 2027 Qantas will increase Melbourne (MEL)–Tokyo Narita (NRT) services, moving from daily operations to 11 flights per week for the December–March period. The airline is also adding more than 45,000 seats across its Tasman network, expanding capacity for Japan and New Zealand demand.

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

Qantas to add capacity on Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) route through summer peak 2027

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

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IATA shows May 2026 air cargo demand up 6% YoY as transpac trade lifts volumes; China Southern Air Cargo books 2 B777-200Fs and IATA reported May 2026 global air cargo demand rose 6.0% year-on-year, with international traffic up 6.5% while capacity increased 1.9%, lifting load factors. Separately, China Southern Air Cargo placed a direct order for two Boeing 777-200Fs and five 777-8Fs, becoming the first confirmed Chinese customer for the 777-8F.

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

IATA shows May 2026 air cargo demand up 6% YoY as transpac trade lifts volumes; China Southern Air Cargo books 2 B777-200Fs and

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

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Asia-Pacific (APAC) News

IATA shows May 2026 air cargo demand up 6% YoY as transpac trade lifts volumes; China Southern Air Cargo books 2 B777-200Fs and

Qantas to add capacity on Melbourne–Tokyo (Narita) route through summer peak 2027

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

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

News Timeline