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CAPA News Briefs

CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.

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Below is a sample of the latest news headlines. 150 news briefs have been published for CAPA Members in the past 2 days.

IndiGo announced (06-Mar-2025) plans to commence three times weekly services to Manchester and Amsterdam in Jul-2025, subject to regulatory approval. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers stated: "We're thrilled to announce our first-ever long-haul destinations - Manchester and Amsterdam", adding: "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". The LCC noted that "the service to Manchester will be the only direct route from India to the north of the UK". As previously reported by CAPA, in Feb-2025 IndiGo signed an agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for the wet lease of three Boeing 787-9s, with the aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2H2025. The LCC stated: "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". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

IndiGo had previously applied for slots at both Amsterdam Schiphol and Copenhagen Kastrup Airports, targeting daily services from Delhi and Mumbai to Amsterdam and from Delhi to Copenhagen in summer 2025. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines already operated these routes1 2. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers emphasised the airline's strategy to establish a presence in the European market through the wet lease of Boeing 787-9s from Norse Atlantic Airways, facilitating their entry into long-haul services3 4.

Air France announced (06-Mar-2025) it is gradually introducing its 'Economy Comfort' option on long haul services globally, available for purchase for flights from 06-May-2025. Economy Comfort seats are located at the front of each economy cabin section, and offer increased legroom, extra recline and priority boarding in zone three. The option can be selected as an extra option from the time of reservation until check-in, subject to availability. Flying Blue Platinum members and higher tiers can select the seats free of charge anytime, while Gold members can select it 72 hours before departure. [more - original PR]

Qantas Group, via its official website, reported (07-Mar-2025) Qantas Airways and Jetstar Airways flights to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ballina will remain suspended until "at least" 09-Mar-2025. Qantas flights to Coffs Harbour resumed on 07-Mar-2025 and Qantas and Jetstar flights to the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay continue to operate.

Virgin Australia stated (07-Mar-2025) it is working with airports, local councils, and authorities as the Cyclone Alfred situation evolves. The carrier has suspended all flights to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ballina on 07-Mar-2025 and 08-Mar-2025 and aims to resume flights on 09-Mar-2025 "as soon as it is safe to do so". [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Gold Coast Airport closed from 16:00 on 05-Mar-2025 due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with the terminal inaccessible to the public from that time1. Ballina Byron Gateway Airport confirmed cancellations for all flights on 05 and 06-Mar-2025 in response to the cyclone2. Virgin Australia had already suspended flights to the Gold Coast and Ballina from 05-Mar-20253. Air Niugini also suspended services to Brisbane due to the cyclone4.

UK's Government announced (05-Mar-2025) the "last major step in the rollout" of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme, expanding the scheme to European visitors. Eligible applicants will require an ETA to travel to the UK, effective 02-Apr-2025. The expansion follows the successful rollout of ETAs to all eligible non-European nationals in 2024, which includes visitors from the US, Canada and Australia. Almost 1.1 million visitors have been issued with ETAs so far. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

The UK's electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme was set to expand to European visitors, requiring citizens like Estonians and Poles to apply for ETAs from 05-Mar-2025 for travel starting 02-Apr-20251 2. The ETA fee was proposed to increase to GBP16, aligning with border security practices of countries like the US and Australia3. IATA's director general criticised the fee increase as detrimental to tourism competitiveness4.

Ryanair confirmed (05-Mar-2025) it will delay its transition to 100% paperless boarding passes to the start of its winter schedule for 2025/26 on 03-Nov-2025. Passengers will be required to use the digital boarding pass generated in the myRyanair app during check-in. The LCC stated almost 80% of its passengers already use digital boarding passes. Ryanair expects to eliminate "almost all airport check-in fees" from Nov-2025 as a result of the transition. The move is expected to reduce more than 300 tonnes of paper waste p/a. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

Ryanair planned to fully digitise its check-in process by May-2025, aiming to eliminate airport check-in desks, similar to its approach with luggage counters1. The carrier had previously introduced self-service bag drop kiosks at Dublin Airport, intending to expand them to other airports2. Ryanair has consistently worked towards enhancing digital services, including launching a coronavirus travel wallet in its app and integrating auto-check-in features3 4.

Air Niugini, via its official Facebook account, announced (05-Mar-2025) the suspension of service to and from Brisbane due to cyclone Alfred. The carrier said it is "closely monitoring the situation and will resume services as soon as it is deemed safe to do so".

Virgin Australia, via its official website, announced (05-Mar-2025) the following schedule update in response to cyclone Alfred:

  • Limited schedule to and from Brisbane before 06-Mar-2025;
  • Flights to Gold Coast suspended from 05-Mar-2025 to 07-Mar-2025;
  • Flights to Ballina suspended until 07-Mar-2025.

Rex Airlines, via its official website, announced (05-Mar-2025) all services to and from Brisbane have been suspended on 06-Mar-2025 and 07-Mar-2025 due to cyclone Alfred.

WestJet announced (03-Mar-2025) new carry-on luggage sizing requirements designed to optimise overhead bin space and streamline boarding processes effective 06-May-2025. The carrier will adopt maximum carry-on baggage size limits of 22" x 14" x 9" (accounting for wheels and handles) to align with common international cabin luggage dimensions adopted by other North American carriers and luggage manufacturers including partner carrier Delta Air Lines. The carrier will continue to accept both the existing 21" x 15" x 9" and the new sizing until the new maximum takes effect. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

WestJet's new carry-on luggage sizing aligns with recent changes by other carriers, such as Air Canada, which introduced carry-on fees to remain competitive with WestJet's similar adjustments1. Previously, WestJet standardised its baggage policy to harmonise with its smaller Q400 aircraft2. This follows a trend among airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, to increase cabin baggage space by upgrading overhead bins to maximise efficiency3.

Emirates Airline announced (03-Mar-2025) plans to launch the following services:

This will expand the carrier's East Asian operations to 269 flights from Dubai to 24 destinations. The services will be operated using Boeing 777-300ER equipment. According to OAG, China Southern Airlines currently operates the Dubai-Shenzhen route. [more - original PR]

Background ✨

China Southern Airlines was set to increase its Shenzhen-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi frequency to 11 times weekly from 30-Mar-20251. China Eastern Airlines resumed a three times weekly Shenzhen-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi service from 17-Nov-2023, which had been suspended since Feb-20202. Shenzhen Airlines commenced a three times weekly Yuncheng-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi service on 28-Apr-2024 and was the sole operator on the route3.

Turkish Airlines announced (03-Mar-2025) plans to launch three times weekly Istanbul-Bangkok-Phnom Penh service from 10-Dec-2025. The service is scheduled until 28-Mar-2026. Chairman Ahmet Bolat said Turkish Airlines is the only European carrier operating to the destination. Cambodia will become the seventh country served by the carrier in Southeast Asia and Phnom Penh will be the 11th city in the region. Turkish Airlines' Far East network will be expanded to 20 cities and 21 airports. [more - original PR]