Airline and Airport Weekly News In Brief: Lufthansa, British Airways, Swiss and more

This week in air travel news features exciting developments across global airlines, enhancing connectivity and expanding service offerings to meet the dynamic needs of modern travelers.

Australia’s Rex Airlines Enhances Connectivity
Rex Airlines is set to launch a new Boeing 737 service between Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Perth Airport (PER) on June 28, 2024, operating five times per week. This new service is poised to add approximately 90,000 seats annually to one of Australia’s busiest air routes, according to Rex’s general manager of network strategy, Warrick Lodge. “This expansion speaks volumes about our commitment to competitive pricing and service excellence in the domestic markets,” Lodge remarks.

Lufthansa Debuts Service to Northern Finland
Lufthansa is introducing flights to Rovaniemi, the enchanting capital of Lapland in northern Finland, known for its association with Santa Claus and the Northern Lights. Starting November 30, the service from Frankfurt will operate twice a week, adding a magical winter destination to Lufthansa’s network.

British Airways Ventures North
From December 1, Tromsø in Norway will mark British Airways’ northernmost destination. The airline will offer flights from London Heathrow Airport twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, utilizing Airbus A320neo aircraft. This route targets the growing winter leisure market in Tromsø, known for its array of cold-weather activities.

SWISS Grows Winter Schedule
SWISS has announced plans to serve 93 destinations from Zurich and Geneva in the winter of 2024-25. Notable service extensions include the Zurich-Washington Dulles route and increased flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Shanghai.

Jet2.com Gears Up for Winter Sun
UK leisure carrier Jet2.com has launched its winter sun schedule for 2025-26, featuring significant expansion to Morocco. The schedule includes flights from the new base at Bournemouth Airport, showcasing a 5% capacity increase over the previous winter.

United Airlines to Link Palm Springs with Washington, D.C.
United Airlines is set to start a seasonal service between Palm Springs International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport on December 19, marking the first direct connection between these locations. The route aims to facilitate seamless access to Palm Springs from the East Coast and Europe.

JetSmart to Introduce New South American Route
Chilean airline JetSmart is launching a new route from Santiago to Asuncion, Paraguay, with a stopover in Buenos Aires. Flights will commence on May 23, reinforcing JetSmart’s commitment to expanding its regional network.

Croatia Airlines Opens Seasonal Routes
Croatia Airlines has launched new seasonal routes from Zagreb to Stockholm and Berlin, and is set to start a new service to Tirana, Albania, on June 14. These routes aim to enhance Zagreb’s accessibility and appeal as a European travel destination.

JetBlue Expands Transatlantic Options
JetBlue Airways has initiated a new route from New York JFK to Edinburgh, Scotland, operating daily through September 30. This service provides a competitive option for transatlantic travelers to and from New York.

WestJet Introduces Multiple New Routes
WestJet is expanding its network with seven new routes for the northern winter of 2024-25, including connections to Grenada, Mexico, and the U.S. Notably, the airline will offer services from Calgary to Tulum and from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale.

Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines Enhance Partnership
Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines have expanded their commercial partnership, which will now include reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and potential revenue sharing on flights between Indonesia and Singapore.

Each airline’s network expansions and new routes reflect strategic growth in the airline industry, responding to increasing demand for travel and enhancing global connectivity.