The home of market intelligence for
the aviation and travel industry.

Emirates announced (08-Jan-2026) plans to expand its premium economy offering to 10 new destinations and increase frequency for multiple destinations where premium economy is already available in 2026, with deployment of premium economy class configured Boeing 777s and A350s on the following routes:

• Dubai-Kochi/Cochin: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 29-Jan-2026;
• Dubai-Basrah: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 29-Jan-2026;
• Dubai-Kuwait: Commence deployment of 777 on select frequencies, effective 01-Feb-2026 to 30-Apr-2026, deploy A350 from 01-May-2026;
• Dubai-Barcelona: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 01-Feb-2026;
• Barcelona-Mexico City: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on daily service from 15-Feb-2026;
• Dubai-Karachi: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 01-Mar-2026;
• Dubai-Addis Ababa: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies from 01-Mar-2026;
• Dubai-Taiwan Taoyuan: Commence deployment of 777-200LR on select frequencies, effective 15-Mar-2026 to 30-Apr-2026, deploy A350 from 01-May-2026;
• Dubai-Rome: Commence deployment of A350 on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
• Dubai-Brisbane: Commence deployment of 777-300ER on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
• Dubai-Tehran: Commence deployment of 777 on select frequencies from 29-Mar-2026;
• Dubai-Copenhagen: Deploy A350 on second daily frequency from 01-Jun-2026;
• Dubai-Phuket: Deploy A350 on third daily frequency from 01-Jul-2026;
• Dubai-Cape Town: Deploy A350 on third daily frequency from 01-Jul-2026.

Emirates will deploy premium economy class configured aircraft on more than 84 routes by 01-Jul-2026. [more - original PR]

Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO Allan Kilavuka, speaking to CAPA TV at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit World 2025, stated (12-Dec-2025) Africa is "the most fragmented market in the world". Mr Kilavuka said: "Africa has the largest number of commercial airlines", but added: "Most of them are not viable". He said: "The idea should be to consolidate this aviation market, particularly the airlines, a lot more". [more - CAPA TV]

US Department of State identified (06-Jan-2026) nationals from the following countries as needing visa bonds:

• Effective in 2025: Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Zambia;
• Effective in Jan-2026: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Any eligible citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries must post a visa bond for USD5000, USD10,000, or USD15,000, as determined at the time of the visa interview. All visa holders who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the US through Boston Logan International Airport, New York John F Kennedy International Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport. [more - original PR]

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport reported (07-Jan-2026) it handled 2.5 million passengers in Dec-2025, an increase of 13% year-on-year and the "busiest month in the airport's history". The airport handled 32.4 million passengers in 2025, exceeding the previous annual record of 30.3 million set in 2018. The airport attributed the performance to a "record number of routes", including 47 new connections to destinations such as China, India and Vietnam, which brought the total number operated to 367. Airport CCO Peter Krogsgaard stated: "There have never been better connections to and from Denmark. This has a positive effect on our entire society when Danish companies have easy and direct access to the world from Copenhagen. The many routes also attract foreign businesses and talent to the country, while tourism in Denmark is reaching new heights, which benefits shops, hotels and restaurants and creates many jobs". [more - original PR]

Qatar Airways completed (07-Jan-2025) installation of Starlink inflight connectivity on more than 120 widebody aircraft, enabling passengers travelling on all its Boeing 777s and A350s to access free high-speed inflight WiFi. More than 58% of the airline's widebody aircraft are now "Starlink-connected", supporting "uninterrupted streaming, video calls, and real-time productivity that can surpass many home broadband networks". As previously reported by CAPA, the airline deployed its first Starlink-connected aircraft in Oct-2024. Following completion of Starlink installation on its 777s and A350s, Qatar Airways has commenced installation on its 787s, having equipped three 787-8s thus far and becoming the airline worldwide to deploy a Starlink-connected 787-8. [more - original PR]

IndiGo received (07-Jan-2026) its first A321XLR on 07-Jan-2026, becoming the first airline in India to receive the type. The LCC plans to commence deployment of the aircraft on three times weekly Mumbai-Athens and Delhi-Athens services from launch on 23/24-Jan-2026. IndiGo's A321XLR are configured with 12 IndiGoStretch business class seats and 183 economy class seats. The LCC's has 39 A321XLRs remaining on order, with a further eight expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. [more - original PR]