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Aer Lingus inaugurates Dublin–Raleigh-Durham with up to five weekly A321XLR flights

Aer Lingus launched its first direct service between Dublin (DUB) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU), designed to provide onward one-stop connections to the UK and Europe. The route will operate up to five times weekly using an Airbus A321XLR.

2026-04-13T12:23:49.808456-07:00

Skift

Etihad ramps up Mainland China network: 5 new cities, 35 weekly flights, begins with Shanghai Pudong in October

2026-04-13T04:08:04.330609-07:00

AeroTime

Qantas’ Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR rolls out for ground and flight testing in Toulouse ahead of late-2026 delivery

2026-04-13T04:57:18.563437-07:00

FlightGlobal

Heathrow: Middle East passenger traffic collapses 51% in March as Persian Gulf airspace closures disrupt Iran-linked operations

2026-04-13T01:24:52.067228-07:00

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Delta withdraws opposition to US approval for Philippine Airlines’ Chicago O’Hare service Delta Air Lines has withdrawn its opposition to a planned Philippine Airlines service between Manila (MNL) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) after US approval of the route plan. The change clears a key regulatory hurdle that had been tied to broader access and capacity competition around ORD.

2026-04-13T13:58:17.473370-07:00

Delta withdraws opposition to US approval for Philippine Airlines’ Chicago O’Hare service

Breitflyte

Aer Lingus inaugurates Dublin–Raleigh-Durham with up to five weekly A321XLR flights Aer Lingus launched its first direct service between Dublin (DUB) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU), designed to provide onward one-stop connections to the UK and Europe. The route will operate up to five times weekly using an Airbus A321XLR.

2026-04-13T12:23:49.808456-07:00

Aer Lingus inaugurates Dublin–Raleigh-Durham with up to five weekly A321XLR flights

Skift

India’s $3 billion UDAN push targets small-airport connectivity growth India is backing its UDAN regional air connectivity scheme with a $3 billion package aimed at expanding flights and improving links to smaller cities and airports. While the program is not yet drawing “large numbers,” its track record suggests the approach can scale—if implementation follows through.

2026-04-13T06:34:40.656219-07:00

India’s $3 billion UDAN push targets small-airport connectivity growth

AeroTime

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Qantas’ Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR rolls out for ground and flight testing in Toulouse ahead of late-2026 delivery Qantas has revealed the first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR, completed in Airbus final assembly in Toulouse and registered (F-WZNK) for flight testing. The aircraft has exited the build phase and is entering a test campaign ahead of a late-2026 delivery, positioning nonstop Sydney–London and Sydney–New York service launches for 2027.

2026-04-13T04:57:18.563437-07:00

Qantas’ Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR rolls out for ground and flight testing in Toulouse ahead of late-2026 delivery

Skift

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Etihad ramps up Mainland China network: 5 new cities, 35 weekly flights, begins with Shanghai Pudong in October Etihad Airways will expand from serving one Mainland China destination to six cities, adding daily Shanghai Pudong service from October and new routes to Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shandong and Chengdu in March. The move lifts Mainland China capacity to 35 weekly flights, operated on Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

2026-04-13T04:08:04.330609-07:00

Etihad ramps up Mainland China network: 5 new cities, 35 weekly flights, begins with Shanghai Pudong in October

FlightGlobal

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Heathrow: Middle East passenger traffic collapses 51% in March as Persian Gulf airspace closures disrupt Iran-linked operations Heathrow reported a 51% year-on-year drop in March passenger numbers between the airport and the Middle East, with Middle East traffic falling to 294M passengers. Asia and Africa routes rose sharply, helped by more transfer flows as airlines re-shifted networks amid airspace closures and strike/drones threats.

2026-04-13T01:24:52.067228-07:00

Heathrow: Middle East passenger traffic collapses 51% in March as Persian Gulf airspace closures disrupt Iran-linked operations

ch-aviation

Route Network Update: Iberia’s network changes, fleet moves and aircraft order activity Operator news updates consolidate Iberia’s route network changes alongside fleet developments and aircraft order activity, spanning start-ups, bankruptcies, and broader industry moves that can reshape capacity and competitive positioning. The coverage is designed to track how Iberia adjusts network deployment over the near term.

2026-04-12T17:54:08.599530-07:00

Route Network Update: Iberia’s network changes, fleet moves and aircraft order activity

Breitflyte

Air France consolidates Paris departures at CDG as Transavia becomes group’s reference operator (summer 2026) Air France-KLM says Air France will move all Paris domestic and international departures to Charles de Gaulle (CDG), except some Corsica routes under a public service obligation, as Transavia is positioned as the Group’s reference operator. Separately, Air France’s 2026 summer schedule highlights increased long-haul capacity with a focus on the Americas.

2026-04-10T08:40:25.783373-07:00

Air France consolidates Paris departures at CDG as Transavia becomes group’s reference operator (summer 2026)

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Routes News

Aer Lingus inaugurates Dublin–Raleigh-Durham with up to five weekly A321XLR flights

Etihad ramps up Mainland China network: 5 new cities, 35 weekly flights, begins with Shanghai Pudong in October

Qantas’ Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR rolls out for ground and flight testing in Toulouse ahead of late-2026 delivery

Heathrow: Middle East passenger traffic collapses 51% in March as Persian Gulf airspace closures disrupt Iran-linked operations

News Timeline