Reuters
• David Shepardson
Airlines for America said U.S. carriers oppose adding more direct flights between the United States and China, pushing back after Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the prospect of increased service. The position highlights continued tension over the scale of bilateral air connectivity.
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Airlines for America said U.S. carriers oppose adding more direct flights between the United States and China, pushing back after Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the prospect of increased service. The position highlights continued tension over the scale of bilateral air connectivity.
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New U.S. sanctions targeting companies that service Iranian carriers have disrupted Iran’s international flight operations, including access to the UAE and Oman. Despite the measures, Iranian airlines continued flying to destinations including Istanbul, China and Bangkok, while Iran warned the policy could heighten regional tensions.
Ethiopian Airlines has suspended scheduled flights from Addis Ababa to Mekelle, Axum and Shire in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region after Tigrayan forces reportedly took control of Mekelle airport. The disruption underscores renewed security risks and threatens air access to a region already facing instability and constrained essential services.
Togo-based ASKY Airlines plans to expand to 30 aircraft and 40 destinations within five years, including the launch of intercontinental services to Europe. The carrier also intends to establish a $100 million maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Lomé, strengthening its planned regional infrastructure footprint.
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Qantas plans to begin nonstop Sydney–New York passenger flights in mid-2028, establishing the second route in its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul program. The service would replace the airline’s current one-stop New York option via Auckland and become the first scheduled nonstop passenger link between Australia and New York.
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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says the airline will not add a fuel surcharge despite rising jet fuel prices, citing hedging through summer 2026. He expects competitors to pass costs to passengers, potentially accelerating failures and consolidation, while Qatar Airways is also holding off on fare increases for now.
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.
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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.
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