Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes and codeshare partnerships
Philippine Airlines launches Pacific routes, resumes Riyadh service
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has introduced new services to Palau and Saipan while also resuming flights between Manila and Riyadh, expanding its network across the Pacific and Middle East.
PAL has launched a new Manila-Palau (Koror) route, operating twice weekly, and resumed its Manila-Saipan service with the same frequency, restoring connectivity to the Northern Mariana Islands. Both routes are operated using Airbus A321ceo aircraft and strengthen Manila’s role as a gateway to the Pacific.
Separately, the airline resumed Manila-Riyadh flights from April 10, 2026. Selected services will operate via a technical stop in Bangkok for refuelling as a temporary measure, with no change required for passengers on board.
Drukair raises Singapore-Paro frequency to three weekly flights
Drukair will increase its Singapore-Paro service from two to three weekly flights from May 16, 2026, adding capacity on the route.
The airline will operate three weekly services between Singapore and Paro, up from the previous two. The expanded schedule is expected to improve connectivity for longhaul travellers, particularly from Australia and North America, via Singapore.
Scoot adds Belitung and Pontianak routes, expands regional frequencies
Scoot will launch new routes to Belitung and Pontianak in Indonesia in May and June 2026, using Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. Belitung will be served twice weekly, while Pontianak will operate three times weekly. With these additions, the airline’s network will expand to 85 destinations across 18 countries and territories.
The carrier will also increase frequencies across its network. From April 2026, Phuket will rise from 17 to 21 weekly flights, Sibu from three to four, Okinawa from three to four, and Changsha from four to five. From June 2026, Bali and Jakarta will increase from 28 to 35 weekly flights, Labuan Bajo from two to three, Lombok from four to 10, and Manado from six weekly services to daily. Vienna will increase from three to four weekly flights from the same month.
Air Astana introduces Almaty-Shanghai route
Air Astana has commenced a new direct service between Almaty and Shanghai, operating three times weekly. The route adds to its existing China network, which includes Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Urumqi and Yining.
With Shanghai added, the airline now operates up to 32 weekly services between Kazakhstan and six Chinese cities, strengthening connectivity for point-to-point and transit traffic across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe and Asia.
