Global Airlines Expand Routes and Networks in 2025, Air Samarkand, ITA Airways, Flydubai, Lufthansa in the List: Know More

The airline industry continues its dynamic expansion in 2025, with carriers unveiling new routes, increasing flight frequencies, and strengthening partnerships to cater to growing traveler demand and evolving market trends.

From emerging carriers like Air Samarkand expanding their international footprint to established airlines such as Aer Lingus and Cathay Pacific resuming services to popular destinations, the global aviation landscape is vibrant and rapidly evolving.

Air Samarkand’s Regional Growth and New Charter Services

Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand is actively expanding its international network with new routes and increased frequencies spanning Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Israel. On May 18, the airline commenced charter flights from Tashkent to Tbilisi, followed by scheduled services to Batumi starting May 24.

Further expansion includes launching regular flights to Baku from both Samarkand and Tashkent starting June 6. Frequencies on two key routes will also be boosted: the Samarkand–Istanbul service will increase to five weekly flights from May 26, and a second weekly flight will be added on the Samarkand–Tel Aviv route beginning July 3.

These developments align with Uzbekistan’s broader aviation policy promoting regional connectivity and tourism growth, supported by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Air Transat’s New South American Route to Medellín

Air Transat is extending its South American network with a new route linking Toronto to Medellín, Colombia, via Cartagena. Set to operate twice weekly during the winter 2025-26 season, the service will further enhance connectivity for leisure travelers and families seeking reunions.

Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Air Transat, highlighted the significance of this addition, noting increased client demand and the airline’s strategy to diversify its network. This move also expands flight frequencies to Cartagena.

ITA Airways Launches Seasonal Italian Domestic Routes

Italy’s ITA Airways will debut two new seasonal domestic routes from Perugia’s San Francesco d’Assisi International Airport starting June 14. Service to Lamezia Terme will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while flights to Olbia commence on June 15 with departures on Thursdays and Sundays.

These routes provide direct access from Umbria to Calabria and Sardinia, key summer destinations, supporting regional tourism development and enhancing domestic connectivity.

Vietjet Expands Vietnam-China Network

Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet announced new routes from Hanoi to Chengdu (starting July 1) and Xi’an (starting July 6), each operating four roundtrip flights weekly. These additions bring Vietjet’s Vietnam-China connections to seven for the first half of 2025.

This expansion complements prior launches between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, reflecting growing air travel demand between the two countries and government commitments to strengthen bilateral ties. The Vietnam Ministry of Transport actively supports these initiatives to boost economic and cultural exchange.

AirAsia Philippines Increases Regional Flight Frequencies

Responding to rising passenger demand, AirAsia Philippines is increasing international flight frequencies, including daily flights between Manila and Kota Kinabalu, up from thrice weekly, and expanding service to Taipei from 14 to 17 weekly flights starting July 1.

These frequency enhancements improve regional connectivity, supporting both leisure and business travelers. AirAsia Philippines reported nearly 3 million passengers in H1 2025 with an 85% load factor, demonstrating strong market recovery post-pandemic.

Flydubai Resumes Damascus Flights After 12-Year Hiatus

Starting June 1, Flydubai will restore flights to Damascus International Airport, becoming the first UAE carrier to resume service after a 12-year suspension. The daily flights will operate from Dubai International Airport Terminal 2, reaffirming Flydubai’s commitment to regional connectivity.

CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith emphasized the cultural and historical importance of Damascus and the role of these flights in supporting UAE’s broader diplomatic and economic ties with Syria.

Aer Lingus to Launch Dublin-Cancún Service

In January 2026, Aer Lingus will inaugurate its first-ever flights to Cancún, Mexico, operating three times weekly with Airbus A330-300 aircraft through April 29. The seasonal route commemorates the 50th anniversary of Ireland-Mexico diplomatic relations, providing Irish travelers with enhanced access to a vibrant Caribbean destination during the off-peak winter period.

Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton highlighted customer interest in extending leisure travel beyond peak seasons.

Cathay Pacific Resumes Hong Kong–Adelaide Flights

Cathay Pacific is resuming nonstop flights between Hong Kong and Adelaide on November 11, operating three times weekly with Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The seasonal service marks the airline’s return to Adelaide since 2019, expanding its Southwest Pacific network to eight destinations and offering nearly 90 return flights weekly across the region.

Emirates and Air Mauritius Renew Partnership

The longstanding partnership between Emirates and Air Mauritius was renewed through a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance codeshare services, frequent flyer benefits, and cargo operations. Emirates operates 14 weekly flights between Dubai and Mauritius with Airbus A380 aircraft, playing a vital role in tourism and trade development.

Jet2.com Expands Greek Network from Birmingham

UK leisure airline Jet2.com will launch weekly flights from Birmingham Airport to Samos, Greece from May 4 to October 26, 2026. This marks the first time Jet2 will serve Samos from Birmingham and brings the total Greek airports served from the base to 15, making Jet2 the largest operator to Greece from Birmingham.

Air France Seasonal Service to Maldives

Air France will operate twice-weekly flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Malé, Maldives during the 2025-26 winter season (Dec 19 – Jan 4) using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The service caters to increasing demand for luxury beach destinations in the off-peak season.

Allegiant Air Adds New US Domestic Routes

Allegiant Air will launch five new nonstop routes this fall, expanding service in underserved markets. Key additions include South Bend–Fort Lauderdale, Memphis–Knoxville, Key West–Knoxville, Appleton–Gulf Shores, and Des Moines–Gulf Shores. The airline will also operate limited-time NFL-related flights connecting Chicago, Nashville, and Akron to Las Vegas.

Avelo Airlines Opens New Route from Portland to New Haven

U.S. carrier Avelo Airlines started service on May 18 from Portland International Jetport to Tweed-New Haven Airport with twice-weekly flights operated on Thursdays and Sundays using Boeing 737 aircraft. This is currently the only nonstop link between Maine and Southern Connecticut.

Lufthansa Group’s Winter 2025-26 Schedules

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines announced comprehensive winter schedules effective October 26. Highlights include:

Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin on routes from Munich to New York, Chicago, Miami, Shanghai, Cape Town, Bengaluru, and Tokyo.
Swiss increasing Zurich-Krakow flights and continuing winter services to Košice, Cluj-Napoca, and Washington Dulles.
Austrian Airlines launching Innsbruck-Amsterdam flights and increasing Vienna-Bangkok services.
Brussels Airlines expanding African network frequencies.
Eurowings launching Berlin-Abu Dhabi and Berlin-Stuttgart-Jeddah routes, plus new flights to Marsa Alam, Egypt.
Discover Airlines adding Frankfurt–Seychelles and Munich–Punta Cana services, plus Frankfurt–Alta winter route.

IndiGo Expands Flights to UAE

India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo, announced a new thrice-weekly service from Madurai to Abu Dhabi, starting June 13. This route is part of IndiGo’s expansion connecting 20 Indian cities to five UAE destinations with over 280 weekly flights.

Air France Debuts Paris-Riyadh Service

Air France launched thrice-weekly flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, operated by Airbus A350-900, with frequencies rising to five weekly by mid-June. The route supports France-Saudi Arabia ties and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Arajet Opens U.S. Midwest Gateway

Dominican Republic’s Arajet will begin thrice-weekly nonstop flights between Punta Cana and Chicago O’Hare on November 15. This is the airline’s first service to the U.S. Midwest and fifth U.S. destination, complementing existing routes to Boston, Miami, New York, and San Juan.

Maldivian Introduces Domestic Route to Meemu Muli

The national airline of Maldives launched weekly Saturday flights from Malé to Meemu Muli, coinciding with the opening of Muli Airport. The 35-minute flight enhances regional access, supporting tourism and economic growth in Meemu Atoll.

Frontier Airlines Returns to Spokane

Frontier Airlines resumed service at Spokane International Airport, operating thrice-weekly nonstop flights to Denver International Airport, marking the ULCC’s return after nearly four years.

TAP Air Portugal Debuts Lisbon-Los Angeles Route

TAP Air Portugal launched its first nonstop flights between Lisbon and Los Angeles with Airbus A330-900 aircraft, operating three times weekly, expanding to four flights by late May. TAP now serves eight U.S. gateways, including a new Azores stopover on one weekly flight starting June 3.

WestJet Expands Western Canada Network

WestJet will resume summer nonstop services from Edmonton to Kamloops and Prince George, B.C., and increase capacity on routes to Vancouver Island and the Northwest Territories. The airline also shifts some routes from turboprops to Boeing 737s, boosting seat availability.

Transatlantic Service Enhancements

Delta and United have resumed and increased seasonal flights to Shannon Airport, Ireland, offering more than 325,000 transatlantic seats alongside year-round Aer Lingus service to U.S. East Coast hubs.

Batik Air Opens Malaysia–South Korea Service

Indonesian carrier Batik Air will operate thrice-weekly flights from Kota Kinabalu to Seoul Incheon starting September 12 to boost inbound South Korean tourism.

SkyAlps Launches Milan Bergamo–Mostar Service

Italian regional carrier SkyAlps began twice-weekly flights connecting Milan Bergamo and Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the first direct link between these cities.

Conclusion

The 2025 route expansions and frequency increases announced by airlines worldwide reflect robust recovery and growth in global air travel demand. These developments enhance connectivity, support economic revitalization, and offer travelers broader options across leisure and business markets.

Source: aviationweek

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