Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes and codeshare partnerships
Singapore Airlines to expand Europe network with Madrid launch
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase frequencies on services to Manchester, Milan, Munich and London Gatwick in the coming months in response to strong demand for travel to Europe.
The airline will also launch a new five-times-weekly Singapore-Barcelona-Madrid service from October 26, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Madrid will become SIA’s 15th destination in Europe and second destination in Spain.
Singapore-Manchester services will increase from five weekly flights to daily from July 13, 2026, while Singapore-London Gatwick and Singapore-Milan services will both increase to daily operations from October 25, 2026.
SIA will also introduce a new three-times-weekly Singapore-Munich service from October 26, 2026, bringing total weekly flights to Munich to 10.
Following the launch of the Madrid service, SIA will discontinue its three-times-weekly Singapore-Milan-Barcelona route from October 27, 2026.
Air New Zealand launches Christchurch-Singapore route
Air New Zealand will commence a new non-stop Christchurch-Singapore service from October 28, expanding its Singapore-New Zealand network and increasing access to the South Island.
The new route will operate three times weekly during the Northern Winter season, complementing the airline’s existing Auckland–Singapore services. More than 34,000 seats will be available on the Christchurch route over the season.
The additional capacity is expected to improve connectivity for travellers from Singapore, the UK, Europe, India and South-east Asia travelling onwards to New Zealand via Singapore.
Flights will be operated using Air New Zealand’s retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Hong Kong Airlines introduces Lanzhou service
Hong Kong Airlines will launch a new direct service between Hong Kong and Lanzhou on May 26, expanding its China network and enhancing connectivity with north-west China.
The new route will operate once weekly and marks the airline’s latest expansion under its regional network strategy.
Lanzhou will become part of Hong Kong Airlines’ growing portfolio of inland China destinations, alongside routes including Xining and Hulunbuir. The airline said the service is expected to support business, leisure and transit traffic via Hong Kong to South-east Asia, Australia and North America.
Vietjet to fly direct to Colombo
Vietjet will introduce a new international service between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo in August 2026, marking the airline’s entry into the Sri Lankan market and further expanding its South Asia network.
The new Ho Chi Minh City-Colombo route will operate four round-trip flights weekly and is expected to strengthen trade, tourism and connectivity between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
The service will also provide travellers from Colombo with onward connections via Vietjet’s network to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, China, Japan and South Korea.
