Mumbai flights initially set to begin in April, have been postponed to June due to pending government clearances. Flights to Delhi are planned for mid-September.

Renewal of aviation bilateral rights between India and Jordan earlier this year allows flights to increase to dailies by summer 2026. Airlines from both countries can operate up to 14 flights per week on each route, with added frequencies hinging on traffic growth, said Karim Makhlouf, chief commercial officer.

RJ will increase its present fleet of 26 to 41 by the end of 2028 to replace the existing short- and medium-haul aircraft, CEO Samar Majali confirmed last year. The carrier’s Asian growth will be driven by India said Makhlouf with flights to China planned for next year.

“We have a distinct business model for India that taps travel agents,” said Makhlouf. Jordan, known for luxury travel, is offering travel packages with free visas in India as part of its “Explore Jordan” initiative.

“We aim to present Jordan as a year-round destination suitable for families, city experiences, hiking, scuba diving, and visits to historical sites beyond Petra.” With many Hollywood films such as ‘Dune’ shot in Jordan: “We are also engaging Bollywood for film shoots,” he added.

RJ resumed direct flights between Amman and Damascus after 13-years on 31 Jan following the end of the Syrian Civil War in December 2024. The four-weekly service compliments current daily bus routes between Amman Airport and Syria.

RJs recent new twice-weekly flight to Washington Dulles, its fifth destination in North America, will offer connectivity to RJ’s catchment in the Levant region. United Airlines stopped flying to Amman from Washington last year.

The airline welcomed 1.6 million guests during the month, achieving a notable average passenger load factor of 89%.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: "Our passenger numbers in February saw a strong 14% growth compared to the same period last year, as we continue to be among the world’s fastest-growing airlines. 

"As our capacity continues to grow, it is pleasing to see we maintained our robust passenger load factor of 89% year-to-date, as we prepare for a busy 2025 with the launch of 14 new routes. 

"Underpinning our continued expansion is the growth in our operating fleet, and we are close to reaching three figures, with more deliveries expected throughout 2025. 

“I am also delighted to report continued growth in guest approval, with February setting another new record for customer satisfaction.”

Bengaluru will become the second Indian city with a direct connection to the beach destination, following the recent launch of IndiGo’s direct flight from Mumbai. 

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said: “We're pleased to launch daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Krabi, bridging the gap between India and Thailand like never before with more than 95 weekly flights. Following the recent announcement of Mumbai-Krabi flights, this new route, from Bengaluru, further strengthens our connectivity to Thailand, catering to the growing demand for travel. Thailand continues to be amongst the favourite leisure destinations, and we're committed to providing our customers with a seamless, affordable, and hassle-free experience.”

Qatar Airways chief commercial officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ vast network of global destinations is complemented with robust flight frequencies for the benefit of our passengers. The new additions further reflect our commitment to fostering worldwide connectivity and elevating passengers’ travel experience with our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024.  At Qatar Airways, we take pride in offering unparalleled services, and with the peak summer season approaching, we are pleased to fulfil the ever-increasing demand for air travel with accessible and convenient flight schedules.”

Qatar Airways is enabling greater connectivity in the following destinations: 

Amsterdam – increased from seven weekly flights to 11

Damascus – increased from three weekly flights to 14

Dar Es Salaam-Kilimanjaro – increased from three weekly flights to seven

Entebbe – increased from seven weekly flights to 11

Larnaca – increased from seven weekly flights to 10

London Heathrow – increased from 49 weekly flights to 56

Madrid – increased from 14 weekly flights to 17 (bringing the jointly operated flights between Qatar Airways and Iberia from 21 weekly flights to 24)

Maputo-Durban – increased from five weekly flights to seven

Sharjah – increased from 21 weekly flights to 35

Tokyo Narita – increased from 11 weekly flights to 14

Tunis – increased from 10 weekly flights to 12

Emirates’ four-class Boeing 777 will launch on flights EK324/325 between Dubai and Seoul, operating three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The upcoming deployment makes Seoul the second East Asian destination to receive Emirates’ upgraded Boeing 777 retrofitted aircraft, including its Premium Economy and newly configured Business Class cabin.

By July 2025, travellers flying eastbound with Emirates will have access to more than 3,150 weekly seats in Premium Economy on a mix of Boeing 777s and A380s across six key destinations in Southeast and East Asia, including Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, and Shenzhen. 

London Stansted joins London Heathrow and Edinburgh as the third UK destination to showcase the airline's latest generation products and refreshed cabin interiors. In addition to London Stansted, Emirates’ network of European destinations served by the four-class Boeing 777 includes Brussels, Geneva, Zurich, Vienna, and Athens.

The service to Manchester will be the only direct route from India to the North of the UK. 

Earlier this year, IndiGo entered into a damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which was inducted into operations on March 1, 2025 and recently, the agreement was expanded to include the damp lease of three additional aircraft, scheduled to join the fleet towards the second half of this year. Collectively, these aircraft will enable IndiGo to make an early entry into the long-haul market and establish itself in Europe while the airline awaits the delivery of its Airbus A321 XLR and A350-900 aircraft from 2027 onwards. 

Pieter Elbers, chief executive officer, IndiGo said: "Today, we unlock a new and very exciting chapter in IndiGo's growth journey, connecting India to the heart of Europe. We're thrilled to announce our first-ever long-haul destinations - Manchester and Amsterdam. India has strong ties both with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for business and tourism; and there is a large Indian diaspora who live in these countries. These new flights will benefit both our existing and potential customers who fly on these routes. These new IndiGo long-haul routes are steps towards inching closer to realising our shared vision to build India into a global aviation hub."

Emirates and Costa Cruises will collaborate on joint marketing efforts, harmonised flight scheduling, and dedicated capacity in the form of ‘cruise blocks’ with the availability of comfortable flights for cruise passengers to meet demand from key markets across the airline’s network where possible.

Both parties will also work closely on enhanced transport solutions between Dubai International Airport and Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal.

Emirates and Costa Cruises will also explore opportunities to expand their partnership beyond Dubai, which includes regions in the Costa Cruises network like Central and South America, the Far East and Southeast Asia.

Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer, Emirates Airline said: “Costa Cruises’ commitment to Dubai stands as a testament to our shared vision of strengthening its position as the preeminent gateway for winter cruising. For Emirates, the cruise traveller segment offers immense growth potential, in addition to generating substantial multiplier effects for Dubai’s economy. We’ll be working closely with stakeholders across the tourism eco-system, including Costa Cruises, to support fast-tracked enhancement of infrastructure that enables seamless access between Dubai’s entertainment venues and attractions and Dubai Harbour, with a view to continue to elevate city’s appeal to discerning cruise guests."

Under this strategic alliance, Emirates will leverage its expansive global network to promote Malta as a premier leisure destination. Key initiatives will include organising media familiarisation trips from key target markets to showcase Malta’s unique appeal as a Mediterranean gateway. The two entities will further explore joint advertising campaigns and collaborations with tour operators and travel agents to develop compelling promotional packages.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial Officer said: “Malta has been a key destination in our European network for over two decades, and we’ve witnessed its growing popularity as a sought-after leisure gateway over the years. This agreement reaffirms our commitment to supporting Malta’s tourism industry by leveraging our global reach to further boost inbound travel.

Our daily service, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER—the largest scheduled passenger aircraft serving the destination—ensures that travellers enjoy our award-winning products and services, while local businesses benefit from the significant cargo capacity we offer on the route.”

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said: " We are extremely pleased to introduce direct, flights from Mumbai to Krabi, our third destination in Thailand, after Bangkok and Phuket. Krabi's breathtaking beaches & natural beauty make it one of the most popular tourist destinations for visitors. With this new route, we're further strengthening our network in Thailand, enhancing connectivity to over 90 weekly flights between India & Thailand. This increased frequency will not only boost tourism but also foster trade opportunities, further solidifying the strong bonds between the two nations.”

With this new destination, Cambodia will become the seventh country served by flag carrier in Southeast Asia and Phnom Penh will be the 11th city in the region.

Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, said: “As Turkish Airlines, we continuously expand our network in Asia and strengthen our connections with strategic destinations in the region. The launch of Phnom Penh flights marks a significant step forward in this goal. Our flights to Cambodia will create new opportunities for both tourism and business. Additionally, as the only European carrier flying to this destination, we will further solidify our leadership in the region.”