Emirates is accelerating the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350 and retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft, bringing its acclaimed Premium Economy and latest cabin products to more travellers across its global network. The expansion covers 10 new cities and additional frequencies to key existing destinations, enhancing capacity and connectivity ahead of peak travel demand.

From mid-2026, Emirates will introduce extra daily services to Copenhagen, Phuket, and Cape Town—all operated by the next-generation A350. These new flights not only provide passengers with greater travel flexibility but also feature the airline’s latest cabin interiors, ensuring a superior onboard experience.

By 1 July 2026, Emirates will offer Premium Economy on more than 84 routes, underscoring its commitment to delivering a consistent and elevated customer experience worldwide.

New A350 services to Copenhagen, Phuket and Cape Town

Starting 1 June, Emirates will add a second daily flight between Dubai and Copenhagen. The new service, EK153, will depart Dubai at 14:50 and arrive in Copenhagen at 19:45. The return flight, EK154, leaves Copenhagen at 21:35 and lands in Dubai at 05:55 the next day.

The schedule is designed to provide seamless onward connections via Dubai to destinations across East Asia, including Bangkok, Bali, Manila, and Tokyo Haneda, as well as to Colombo, Male, Nairobi, and Entebbe.

A third daily service between Dubai and Phuket will commence on 1 July. EK390 will depart Dubai at 22:40, arriving in Phuket at 08:10 the following day. The return flight, EK391, leaves Phuket at 10:00, arriving in Dubai at 13:05. The extra frequency caters to strong holiday-season demand and supports smooth connections to key European and Middle Eastern cities such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Kuwait.

On the same day, 1 July, Emirates will also launch a third daily service between Dubai and Cape Town, operated by the latest A350. EK778 will leave Dubai at 10:25, arriving in Cape Town at 18:05, while EK779 will depart Cape Town at 20:00 and land in Dubai at 07:25 the following morning. The additional flight strengthens travel links between southern Africa, Europe, and Asia, supporting both leisure and business travel demand.

Emirates’ double-daily Cape Town flights have continued to record strong load factors throughout the year, driven by growing inbound traffic from the GCC and sustained outbound demand to Europe and the U.S. East Coast.

The A350 fleet will also be introduced on the Rome route from 29 March and Taipei from 1 May, expanding the airline’s latest onboard offering to more international gateways.

Broadened Premium Economy network

Europe & North America

• Barcelona and Mexico City: From 1 February, EK187/188 will be operated by a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. The linked EK255/256 service between Barcelona and Mexico City will feature a three-class Boeing 777-200LR with Premium Economy from 15 February.

• Rome: Daily EK099/100 will transition to the A350 from 29 March.

• Copenhagen: A second daily A350-operated flight begins 1 June (EK153/154).

Asia

• Cochin: Two weekly EK530/531 flights (Thursday and Sunday) will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR from 29 January.

• Karachi: Daily EK606/607 will feature the upgraded Boeing 777-200LR from 1 March.

• Taipei: EK386/387 will temporarily operate with the 777-200LR from 15 March before switching to the A350 from 1 May.

• Phuket: Third daily A350 service effective 1 July (EK390/391).

Australia

• Brisbane: From 29 March, daily EK430/431 flights will be operated by a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, complementing the A380 already featuring Premium Economy.

Africa

• Addis Ababa: Daily EK723/724 will transition to a retrofitted Boeing 777-200LR from 1 March.

• Cape Town: A third daily A350 service takes effect 1 July 2026.

Middle East

• Basra: Thursday’s EK947/948 flight will upgrade to a four-class Boeing 777-300ER from 29 January.

• Kuwait City: EK859/860 will operate with a retrofitted Boeing 777 from 1 February to 30 April, followed by the A350 from 1 May.

• Tehran: Daily EK979/980 flights will shift to a four-class retrofitted Boeing 777 beginning 29 March.

Tickets are available for purchase via emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates retail stores, and through authorized online and offline travel agents worldwide.

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.