CNBC
• Leslie Josephs
Qantas will begin nonstop flights between Sydney and New York JFK in mid-2028, using Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft under its Project Sunrise program. The roughly 18-hour service will become the first commercial nonstop connection between Australia and New York and the program’s second route.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Latest source-backed stories
Bangladesh will purchase 11 additional Boeing aircraft for national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, bringing its planned order total to 25 jets. The deal comes as Dhaka seeks closer trade ties with Washington while facing concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on Bangladeshi exports.
Australia’s Royal Australian Air Force has reached major milestones across three intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance fleets in six months: completing its P-8A Poseidon force and declaring initial operational capability for the MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine, according to the Department of Defence.
flydubai is preparing to begin direct operations to Nepal, adding a new South Asian market to the Dubai-based carrier’s network. The move expands connectivity between the Gulf and Nepal, although the available report does not specify launch dates, destinations or frequencies.
High activity
Qantas will begin nonstop flights between Sydney and New York JFK in mid-2028, using Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft under its Project Sunrise program. The roughly 18-hour service will become the first commercial nonstop connection between Australia and New York and the program’s second route.
High activity
The Republic of Korea Air Force has received its first production Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 Boramae Block I fighter, marking the entry of South Korea’s domestically developed combat aircraft into service. The aircraft is expected to support an operational declaration planned for the second half of 2027.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are introducing Starlink-powered inflight Wi-Fi, expanding high-speed connectivity options for passengers. Both airlines are cautioning travelers that service will be unavailable or limited over China, underscoring the geographic constraints that can affect satellite-enabled connectivity on international routes.
Boeing Defence Australia selected Lite Coms to supply tactical satellite terminals for the Australian Defence Force’s beyond-line-of-sight communications program, while Boeing subsidiary Insitu and Gogo Special Missions completed testing of a lightweight Galileo HDX solution integrated onto a Group 3 uncrewed aircraft.
Planet Labs plans to launch its first German-built satellite on a German rocket in early 2027, supported by expanded Berlin production. Separately, Exolaunch has contracted a dedicated SpaceX Starship mission for 2029, while China completed four orbital launches in 45 hours to advance competing LEO broadband constellations.
Create a free account to see more recent Asia-Pacific (APAC) stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
