Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes and codeshare partnerships
AirAsia X adds Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London Gatwick service
AirAsia X will launch a new international connection linking Kuala Lumpur with Bahrain and London Gatwick from June 26, 2026. The Bahrain-London sector will operate as a fifth freedom service.
The Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London Gatwick routing marks the airline’s second fifth freedom operation and extends its network beyond Asia. Bahrain will serve as AirAsia X’s first hub outside its home market, supporting connections between South-east Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The service will be operated using Airbus A330 aircraft and is expected to support transit traffic from markets including Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam through Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain.
AirAsia X currently connects Kuala Lumpur with 95 destinations across 23 countries in Asia, operating close to 2,000 weekly flights. The addition of the Bahrain and London sectors expands the carrier’s longhaul network and introduces a new link between South-east Asia and Europe via the Middle East.
Qantas increases A380 operations on Singapore-Sydney route
Qantas will deploy Airbus A380 operations between Singapore and Sydney from December 7, 2026, expanding premium seat capacity on the route.
The airline will operate the A380 on 13 of its 14 weekly Singapore-Sydney services, with the remaining frequency continuing with an Airbus A330. The change increases the number of First, Business and Premium Economy seats available on the route.
The A380 is configured with 14 First Class suites, 70 Business seats and 60 Premium Economy seats. The adjustment forms part of Qantas’ capacity deployment on services between Australia and Asia.
Lufthansa expands South-east Asia network with Kuala Lumpur link
Lufthansa will add a new non-stop connection between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt from October 25, 2026, strengthening its presence in South-east Asia.
The service will operate five times per week year round, with flights scheduled daily except Tuesdays and Thursdays. The route will be served by Boeing 787 aircraft configured with 287 seats across three cabins.
The addition of Kuala Lumpur provides further connectivity through Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub, linking South-east Asia with destinations across Europe and the airline’s wider global network.
Fiji Airways to start Gold Coast-Nadi flights in June
Fiji Airways will begin direct flights between Gold Coast and Nadi from June 11, 2026, adding a new international connection from Queensland to Fiji.
The airline will operate the service as part of an expansion of its network from Australia, providing onward connections through Nadi to destinations across the Pacific and North America.
The launch coincides with a three-year partnership between Fiji Airways and AFL club the Gold Coast SUNS, aimed at increasing awareness of the new international service in the Gold Coast market.
