Qatar Airways announced (26-Mar-2026) "its latest revised schedule, reflecting the gradual increase in flights to and from Doha... [with] additional frequencies to more than 90 destinations across Qatar Airways' global network", valid until 15-Apr-2026. The airline added: "All flights to and from Doha continue to operate through dedicated flight corridors. These routes are established in close coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority". [more - original PR]
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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 204 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.
Air Premia and Thai Airways signed (26-Mar-2026) an interline agreement, with interline services to commence on 30-Mar-2026. Under the agreement, "Air Premia's Americas routes will be connected to Thai Airways' extensive network, including key domestic destinations in Thailand such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, as well as major cities across Southeast Asia-including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Hanoi and India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai". The partnership will enable Thai Airways "to expand its network into the US market through Air Premia's long-haul routes from Incheon". Thai Airways noted that there are no nonstop services connecting Thailand and the US at present. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Thailand’s government accelerated efforts to restore Thailand–US direct air links after the US FAA upgraded Thailand’s safety rating to Category 1 in Apr-2025, enabling Thai carriers to launch new US routes and participate in codeshare agreements with US airlines.1 United planned Los Angeles–Bangkok via Hong Kong from Oct-2025, while no airline operated nonstop between the two countries.1 Air Premia previously pursued interline partnerships, including with Korean Air and T’way Air, to feed its North America services via Seoul Incheon.2 3
Jet2.com launched (26-Mar-2026) London Gatwick-Tenerife service, the first of the carrier's flights and package holidays from London Gatwick. London Gatwick becomes the airline's 14th UK base. The carrier's summer schedule from London Gatwick for 2026 features 29 destinations, with Jet2.com to operate with six based aircraft including five A321neos. The carrier's winter schedule for 2026/27 includes 23 destinations from London Gatwick. [more - original PR - Jet2.com] [more - original PR - London Gatwick Airport]
Background ✨
Jet2.com scheduled multiple London Gatwick route launches around the base start-up, including Malaga from 23-Mar-2026 and Malta from 02-Apr-2026, both using A321neo equipment.1 2 For winter 2026/27, it previously outlined a 24-destination programme and announced new services such as Agadir, La Palma and Madeira, plus short ski-season routes including Vienna and Geneva.3 CEO Steve Heapy said the late sales launch required investment to establish and fill aircraft in the first couple of years.4
Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA Airways) CEO Joerg Eberhart stated (25-Mar-2026) 2025 was a "turning point" for the airline, adding: "We have posted a profit for the first time, confirming that we are on the right track". ITA Airways transported 16.2 million passengers across more than 123,000 flights in 2025, with a load factor of 83.4%, up 2.1 percentage points year-on-year. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
ITA Airways reported passenger revenues of EUR2.8 billion in 2025, up 2.7% year-on-year, with CEO Joerg Eberhart saying it showed “resilience and solidity” commercially; its fleet ended 2025 at 106 aircraft, including 74 new generation units1. The board approved a 2026-2030 plan centred on fleet and network development and deeper Lufthansa Group integration, including targeted Star Alliance entry from early 20262.
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26-Mar-2026 11:44 AM
Western Sydney International Airport CEO welcomes Singapore Airlines service plans
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) CEO Simon Hickey welcomed (25-Mar-2026) Singapore Airlines plans to commence daily Singapore-Western Sydney service from Nov-2026, stating: "Not only will WSI increase aviation capacity in the Sydney basin, giving travelling more choice and flexibility on when, where and how they choose to fly - our 24-hour services will unlock new routes with Singapore Airlines for everyone across Greater Sydney to enjoy". Mr Hickey added: "Singapore Airlines will operate daily nonstop flights from 23-Nov-2026 that will depart WSI just before midnight, with passengers arriving at the award-winning Changi Hub around 05:00 - offering a new era of global connectivity for Sydney-siders". [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Singapore Airlines planned to begin daily Singapore–Western Sydney International Airport services from 23-Nov-2026 using a 303-seat A350-900, complementing its four times daily Singapore–Sydney Kingsford Smith operation, with the late-night departure bank supporting connections via Changi to more than 130 destinations, according to SIA senior VP marketing planning Dai Haoyu1. Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said airlines were likely to retain most capacity at curfew-constrained Kingsford Smith while using Western Sydney for late-night flights, citing the new airport’s 24/7 availability and Sydney’s demand pressures2.
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced (25-Mar-2026) plans to defer the implementation of a sustainable aviation fuel levy. The levy will now apply to tickets sold from 01-Oct-2026, for flights departing from 01-Jan-2027, instead of from 01-Apr-2026 for flights departing from 01-Oct-2026. CAAS director general Han Kok Juan stated: "Singapore remains firmly committed to aviation decarbonisation", adding: "We are taking a pragmatic pause in view of the current situation. We will continue to work closely with our aviation industry partners and monitor global developments". [more - original PR] [more - Aviation Week]
Background ✨
CAAS previously confirmed a fixed SAF levy for all departing passenger, cargo and general/business aviation flights from 01-Oct-2026, applying to tickets or services sold from 01-Apr-2026, with levies varying by route and cabin and excluding transit passengers.1 Singapore's Government had passed enabling legislation, with Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling stating levy proceeds would be paid to CAAS to procure and manage SAF via a dedicated SAF Fund.2 3
Jetstar Airways launched (25-Mar-2026) three times weekly Sunshine Coast-Bali-Singapore service with A321LR equipment. The service is one of four new routes to Bali launched by the LCC over the past year, following the introduction of services from the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Melbourne Avalon. Jetstar operates 11 routes and 210 weekly frequencies from Australia to Bali. [more - original PR - Jetstar Airways] [more - original PR - Sunshine Coast Airport] [more - original PR - Angkasa Pura II]
Background ✨
Jetstar scheduled the three times weekly Sunshine Coast–Bali–Singapore service with A321LRs from 25-Mar-2026, adding 70,000 seats p/a and becoming its 10th direct Australia–Bali link.1 Jetstar also planned to lift Newcastle–Bali from three to four times weekly from 29-Mar-2026, citing strong demand and promoting onward Singapore connections via Denpasar.2 Jetstar was scheduled to trim Melbourne Tullamarine–Bali from four daily to 24 weekly from 18-Mar-2026, then to 23 weekly from 04-Apr-2026.3
United Airlines announced (24-Mar-2026) the following aircraft updates for the next phase of its long term plan:
- The carrier expects to take delivery of over 250 new aircraft by Apr-2028, including the following;
- United will add new A321 Coastliner and A321XLR narrowbody aircraft, featuring the Elevated interior and new lie-flat seats in United Polaris. The carrier will have 100 aircraft coming into its fleet, replacing 40 757s:
- The A321 Coastliner will operate between San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York Newark, and will introduce United Polaris cabin experience to domestic travellers;
- The A321XLR will start flying later in 2026;
- Bombardier CRJ450 aircraft will be operated by SkyWest Airlines, connecting smaller cities to Denver and Chicago from autumn 2026;
- United's new 787-9 aircraft will operate San Francisco-Singapore service on 22-Apr-2026. The aircraft will be outfitted with the Elevated interior;
- The carrier plans to operate 33 787-9 aircraft with the Elevated interior by 2028. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
United planned to introduce its first Boeing 787-9s with the United Elevated interior on San Francisco-Singapore from 22-Apr-2026 and San Francisco-London from 30-Apr-2026, featuring larger Polaris suites and 4K OLED screens.1 2 United also continued inducting new aircraft in early 2026, including a 787-9 plus A321neos and 737 MAX 9s.3
United Airlines introduced (24-Mar-2026) the United Relax Row for customers travelling in United Economy cabin on long haul services, enabling customers to modify three row seats into a lie flat mattress by adjusting the leg rests. United is the first North American carrier to offer this seating option. The United Relax Row is expected to launch in 2027, with plans to offer it on over 200 Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft by 2030. The seats will be between United Economy and United Premium Plus. United will offer up to 12 United Relax Row sections on each aircraft. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
United’s cabin investment programme included USD1 billion for Starlink installations, seatback screens and higher catering spend, with a further USD1 billion earmarked for the customer experience in 2026.1 United also unveiled its “United Elevated” Boeing 787-9 interior, featuring Polaris Studio suites, upgraded Polaris and Premium Plus cabins, and 4K OLED seatback screens across cabins, with first 787-9 operations planned from San Francisco in 2026.2 3
Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced (24-Mar-2026) plans to commence daily Singapore-Western Sydney service on 23-Nov-2026 with 303 seat A350-900. SIA senior VP marketing planning Dai Haoyu stated the service "will deliver more choice and strengthen connectivity to this popular destination for our customers". Mr Dai added Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport's late night departure capacity will enable connections through Singapore Changi Airport "to more than 130 global destinations served by the SIA Group". The service will complement Singapore Airlines' four times daily Singapore-Sydney Kingsford service. As previously reported by CAPA, QantasLink, Jetstar Airways and Air New Zealand also plan to operate passenger services at the airport, with Qantas Freight to operate cargo services. [more - original PR - Singapore Airlines] [more - original PR - Australia's Minister for Infrastructure] [more - original PR - Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport]
Background ✨
Singapore Airlines scheduled further Australia capacity changes for 2H2026, including introducing premium economy on one of four daily Singapore‑Brisbane frequencies from 01-Nov-2026 and increasing Singapore‑Adelaide to 12 times weekly in Dec-2026/Jan-2027, while Singapore‑Cairns rose to five times weekly from 06-Jul-2026 and was set to move to daily from 01-Dec-2026 with 737 MAX 8 equipment.1
easyJet announced (23-Mar-2026) plans to install Mirus Aircraft Seating's Kestrel seats to its new aircraft deliveries from 2028. The LCC will be the first carrier to receive the seats on new A320neo and A321neo equipment across 237 aircraft orders. The seat is more than 20% lighter than seats in existing use, offering up to two inches of additional legroom and helping to deliver savings of 40,000 tonnes of CO2 p/a. The announcement forms part of easyJet's ongoing range of initiatives to maximise efficiencies and combine marginal gains into broader emissions reduction, including fleet renewal, sharklet upgrades on A320ceo aircraft, taxi management optimisation and lighter paints. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
easyJet previously announced plans to retrofit all remaining A320ceo aircraft with Airbus sharklets by summer 2026, estimating fuel savings of 2156 tonnes p/a and nearly 7000 tonnes of CO2 across its fleet.1 easyJet also trialled a lower-weight paint system from Mankiewicz Coatings, applied to 38 aircraft, with fleet-wide rollout planned to 2030 and projected savings of up to 1296 tonnes of fuel and 4095 tonnes of CO2e.2
Jazeera Airways announced (23-Mar-2026) plans to commence twice weekly service connecting Kuwait to Lahore via Al Qaisumah-Hafar Al Batin Airport on 29-Mar-2026. As previously reported by CAPA, the LCC temporarily shifted operations to Al Qaisumah-Hafar Al Batin Airport in Saudi Arabia, effective from 11-Mar-2026, following the temporary suspension of operations at Kuwait International Airport for safety reasons. It operates services via the airport to more than 20 destinations in Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, Sri Lanka, India and the UAE. [more - original PR]