CAPA Insights

AirAsia X announced plans to launch Kuala Lumpur-Istanbul Sabiha Gocken service from 14-Nov-2025, marking the LCC's re-entry into Europe.

The service will be operated four times weekly with A330-300 aircraft.

CEO Benyamin Ismail noted the launch is a "strategic decision that strengthen's our network".

Following the struggles faced in growing Abu Dhabi operations and the resulting announcement on plans to exit the market from Sep-2025, Wizz Air revealed network development priorities and strategic adjustment for the near term.

Wizz Air Group will intensify its focus on core network in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as select Western European countries such as Austria, Italy and UK, after coming up against supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access in the Middle East.

49 new routes launched in the region ... 19 different carriers feature in the list.

Transavia accounted for the most new routes (12), followed by Volotea (9) and Vueling (5).

Finnair CEO Turkka Kuusisto stated the challenges faced by the carrier at the beginning of 2025 continued into 2Q2025.

While Finnair recorded 3.1 million passengers (+3.1% year-on-year) and increased revenue 2.4% to EUR1,482 million in 1H2025, the carrier's operating results were affected by industrial action by the Finnish Airline Pilots' Association in Apr-2025 and Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) in May-2025 and Jun-2025.

The Port of Oakland has launched its second attempt in just over a year to rename Oakland International Airport, after the first was defeated by a legal challenge.

The Port is seeking to capture and retain inbound travel by highlighting the airport's proximity to San Francisco, but if history and the early murmurs from San Francisco International Airport are anything to go by - a similar result appears likely this time around.

Edelweiss Air plans to phase out its aging fleet of five A340-300s by mid-2027 and rebuild its long haul fleet to match pre-COVID levels of six aircraft, while improving fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.

The airline provides services to 102 destinations in 37 countries in summer 2025, with new services to Lulea, São Vicente and Praia announced for winter 2025/26.

PLAY has been in the process of implementing strategic changes to its business model.

A snapshot of recent news provides some insight into how the process is going:

• Strong offering of sun destinations and popular cities for Icelandic travellers;
• Four aircraft operating flights from Iceland. The aircraft will be operated by crew from Iceland under Icelandic collective agreements;
• Six additional aircraft will be leased out for profitable projects with other airlines;
• North American flights will cease as of Oct-2025, and the number of city destinations in Northern Europe will be reduced;
• Operations will be conducted under a Maltese air operator certificate (AOC), and the Icelandic AOC will be returned.

Vietnam Airlines confirmed its intention to launch a dedicated cargo airline in 2026, converting A321 aircraft into freighters.

The first cargo aircraft is expected to enter service on regional routes in 4Q2025.

At the end of Jun-2025, the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force (GSLTF) launched a campaign to expand levies on air transport, particularly targeting premium travellers and private jets.

The coalition launch partners comprised France, Kenya, Barbados, Spain, Somalia, Benin, Sierra Leone and Antigua & Barbuda, with backing from the European Commission under the Pact for Prosperity, People and the Planet.

The GSLTF's stated aim is to "improve domestic revenue mobilisation of developing countries and support international solidarity (in particular with regards to climate change mitigation and adaptation, pandemics and other development challenges)".

The announcement was met with strong criticism from aviation industry bodies, including IATA and Airports Council International, which strongly objected to further levies or taxes on air travel.

The GSLTF's announcement came just as Sweden's Government abolished its aviation tax, in a move broadly welcomed by airlines.

Other European countries, notably Germany and Austria, continue to face industry backlash for their taxes on aviation.

82 new routes launched in the region ... 34 different carriers feature in the list.

Aegean Airlines accounted for the most new routes (10), followed by Norwegian (9) and SAS (6).