Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes and codeshare partnerships
Jetstar expands Queensland network with two new flights
Jetstar is expanding its Queensland network with new international routes, including Brisbane-Rarotonga flights starting in May 2026 and the launch of Gold Coast-Bali services. The additions are part of a broader growth strategy that has seen six new overseas connections from Queensland announced or launched in the past six months.
The Brisbane-Rarotonga service will operate three times a week on Jetstar’s A321neo LR aircraft, providing more than 50,000 seats annually. It will be the airline’s second direct route from Australia to the Cook Islands, after Sydney-Rarotonga, and Jetstar remains the only carrier flying direct from Brisbane, Sydney and Rarotonga.
The new Gold Coast-Bali service operates three times a week, adding more than 58,000 seats annually. It is Jetstar’s first direct connection between the Gold Coast and Bali and is operated with the Airbus A320neo, one of two now based at the airport to increase capacity on other domestic and New Zealand routes.
Philippine Airlines shifts select domestic routes from Manila to Clark and Cebu
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will move some domestic turboprop routes from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark International Airport (CRK) and Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) from October 26, 2025, following a government mandate.
Flights from Clark to Busuanga and Basco will increase to twice daily, while Clark-Siargao will continue daily. From Cebu, services to Busuanga and Siargao will run three times daily, and a new Cebu-Calbayog route will operate four times weekly, replacing Manila-Calbayog flights. Passengers from Manila can connect via Cebu.
Manila-Siargao and Manila-Busuanga flights will continue daily but at reduced frequencies, while Manila-Antique and Manila-Catarman services will remain unchanged.
The government began reducing turboprop flights from Manila in March, cutting 30 per cent of services.
Cathay Pacific resumes Hong Kong-Brussels services
Cathay Pacific has reinstated direct flights between Hong Kong and Brussels, operating four-times-weekly services since August 3. The route restores a key link between the airline’s home city and the Belgian capital, providing greater choice and connectivity for passengers.
The Hong Kong-Brussels flights are operated with the airline’s Airbus A350-900, featuring fully flat beds in Business, spacious Premium Economy seating, and extended comfort in Economy. All passengers have access to in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi, with Business class travellers and Cathay Diamond members receiving complimentary Wi-Fi.
With the return to Brussels and increased frequencies on other European routes, Cathay Pacific now operates nearly 100 return flights per week between Hong Kong and Europe this summer, including five daily flights to London, daily flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Zurich, four weekly flights to Barcelona, Brussels, Madrid and Munich, and three weekly flights to Rome.
The Hong Kong–Brussels service departs Hong Kong at 23.50 and arrives in Brussels at 07.20 the following day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while the return service leaves Brussels at 13.25, arriving in Hong Kong at 06.55 the next day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Passengers travelling from Europe can also connect seamlessly via Hong Kong International Airport to over 100 destinations worldwide, including 23 in mainland China, and reach other cities in the Greater Bay Area through direct air-to-sea and air-to-land services via the SkyPier Terminal.
Vietjet Thailand adds new Asia routes for 2025
Vietjet Thailand will launch several new direct routes to major cities across Asia in 2025 as part of its international expansion.
From Bangkok, flights to Seoul (Incheon) will begin on October 1, to Osaka (Kansai) on December 1, and to Tokyo (Narita) on December 15. The airline will also expand services to India, with Phuket-Mumbai flights starting on August 14, Bangkok-Kolkata on November 16, and Bangkok-Ahmedabad on December 4.
The new services are aimed at increasing connectivity with key markets in Japan, South Korea, and India, boosting inbound tourism to Thailand and meeting growing two-way travel demand.
