Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes and codeshare partnerships
Singapore Airlines adds Riyadh to network, boosts frequencies for Northern Summer 2026
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will expand its network in 2026 with the launch of a new Middle East route and higher frequencies across key Asian and regional destinations during the Northern Summer season.
The airline will commence four-times weekly non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh in June 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The route will be operated by the medium-haul Airbus A350-900, configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class. Flight SQ498 will depart Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the return flight SQ499 operating on the same days. Riyadh will become the SIA Group’s second destination in Saudi Arabia, alongside Scoot’s four-times weekly service to Jeddah.
In addition, SIA will increase frequencies and capacity on selected routes during the Northern Summer 2026 season from March 29, 2026 to October 24, 2026. Bangkok will gain an additional daily service from March 29, 2026, bringing operations to seven daily flights. Yangon will increase from seven to 10 weekly services from March 31, 2026, while Surabaya will rise from 19 to 21 weekly flights from March 29, 2026.
Colombo will operate 10 weekly services between March 29, 2026 and April 30, 2026, before increasing to 14 weekly flights from May 1, 2026. The Airbus A380 will be deployed on the Singapore-Dubai route throughout the Northern Summer 2026 season.
Originair launches Christchurch-Nelson service
Originair has introduced a new direct service between Christchurch and Nelson from February 13, operating twice weekly on Fridays and Sundays.
Flights will be operated by the 18-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 32 turboprop, with a flight time of approximately 50 minutes. The service adds capacity on the route alongside existing Air New Zealand operations.
The new link strengthens connectivity between Canterbury and the upper South Island, supporting both business and leisure travel as well as access to essential services.
Malaysia Aviation Group boosts domestic capacity for Hari Raya
Malaysia Aviation Group will operate more than 2,700 domestic flights during the Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri peak period through Malaysia Airlines and Firefly.
Malaysia Airlines is set to operate up to 1,557 flights, while Firefly will run up to 1,176 services across Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, increasing overall domestic capacity during the festive season.
To meet higher demand, Malaysia Airlines will deploy larger aircraft on routes including Alor Setar, Kota Bharu, Terengganu, Miri, Sibu, Kuching, Tawau, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu. The airline will also introduce red-eye services to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kuching to maximise seat availability during the peak travel window.
Air Astana expands China and Azerbaijan network
Air Astana will strengthen its international network in March 2026 with the launch of a new China route and the resumption of services to Azerbaijan, alongside frequency increases.
The airline will launch flights between Almaty and Shanghai at the end of March 2026, expanding its China network, which currently includes Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya and Urumqi. Air Astana first introduced services between Kazakhstan and China more than 20 years ago. Operated by Airbus A321LR aircraft, flights from Almaty will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with return services operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Air Astana will also resume direct flights between Almaty and Baku from March 15, 2026. The route will initially operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, increasing to three weekly flights in April and to four weekly services from May, operating on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
In addition, the Atyrau-Baku route will increase to three weekly flights. From March 18, 2026, services will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, before shifting to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from April.
