Resurgent Air Canada unveils growth strategy

Good news for anyone flying with Air Canada with the airline boosting its global connectivity.

The Candian flag carrier is planning its biggest-ever intercontinental expansion for summer 2027, adding five international destinations and seven new routes from its three Canadian hubs, Travel Mole reports.

The carrier will launch a year-round service from Vancouver to Guangzhou, China, while Toronto will gain new flights to Oslo, Shannon in Ireland and Nice. 

Montreal will add new links to Basel, Switzerland, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Air Canada will also extend several existing seasonal services to year-round operations, including Tenerife, Lima and Guatemala City.

The expansion will increase international capacity by more than 8% compared with summer 2026. 

The airline - bouncing back after struggling during Covid - plans to operate more than 125 international routes, offering up to 169,000 seats a week from Canada to more than 85 destinations across the Atlantic, Pacific, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Toronto is at the centre of Air Canada expansion. The new Oslo service will operate four times weekly from June 2 through October 10, 2027, using Air Canada’s new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Shannon will receive three weekly flights from June 10 through to October 2, giving Air Canada its second destination in Ireland after Dublin. The airline says it will be the only carrier offering non-stop service between Toronto and Shannon.

Nice will receive twice-weekly Toronto service from June 16 through October 23. Combined with Air Canada’s existing Montréal-Nice flights, the new service will provide a daily connection between Canada and the French Riviera during the summer season.

From Montréal, Basel will operate four times weekly from June 16 through October 23, while Dubrovnik will receive three weekly flights from May 11 through October 23.

Vancouver will gain three weekly flights to Guangzhou beginning May 4, 2027. The year-round service will use Boeing 787 Dreamliners and make Guangzhou Air Canada’s third destination in mainland China.

The airline says it will offer up to 24 weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou combined.

Air Canada expects the broader growth strategy to create more than 1,500 direct jobs by 2028. 

Qatar Airways unveils new routes to Venezuela and Colombia

 

Qatar Airways has announced two unique routes set to open up South American travel destinations. 

The Middle East airline it top operate flights to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia, from July. 

Inaugural flights will run on July 22, meaning Qatar Airways will serve over 160 global destinations this northern summer. 

Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate flights from the Middle East to Caracas and Bogotá. 

Flights will depart every Wednesday and Sunday. 

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 15th and 16th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. 

The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Sao Paolo in Brazil.

Qatar will also operate four weekly flights between Doha
and Helsinki from July 15, increasing to daily from August 10.

The carrier will also return to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from July 15.

Batik Air adds flights to Shanghai and Sydney

Batik Air has this week announced introduction of new direct services to two of its key global markets:  China and Australia. 

The introduction of a Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai service, commencing on June 23, marks a milestone in Batik Air’s network expansion into China, complementing its existing services to Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. 

The route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, further reinforcing connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and one of the Asia-Pacific region’s key economic and tourism centres.

Batik Air will introduce of a direct Kuala Lumpur–Sydney service commencing July 1, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. 

The Malaysian carrier currently serves Australia through Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney via Denpasar, alongside 14 weekly direct Kuala Lumpur–Perth flights. 

The new non-stop Sydney service will operate seven times weekly. 

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the introduction of both routes reflects the airline’s continued commitment to building a resilient, demand-driven network while maintaining a measured outlook amid an evolving global environment.

“Batik Air continues to align its network with sustained market demand, and the addition of Shanghai and Sydney strengthens two of our most important international corridors,” he said. 

“These routes support tourism and business travel while enhancing overall connectivity between Malaysia and key global markets.”

How to travel asleep on Europe’s first night bus with lie-flat seats

Buses with lie-flat beds are emerging as an enticing travel option in Europe.

Zurich, Basle, Luxembourg, Brussels and Amsterdam are in line to become among the first cities to see the arrival of a new era of overnight coach travel, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Swiss company Twiliner has announced that its first luxury night bus route will officially launch on November 14.

Twiliner’s mission is to make long-distance bus travel as comfortable - and nearly as sustainable - as rail journeys, while offering a greener alternative to short-haul flights.

The company says its service “closes the comfort gap in long-distance travel,” bringing airline business-class style to its buses.

Each double-decker bus will carry just 21 passengers (18 on the upper deck and three on the lower level).

This is compared to up to 80 seats for a normal cheap-and-cheerful coach service.

Seats (above) looking like those found in business class cabins in commercial aircraft. At the push of a button, they fully recline into flat beds.

Travellers can expect pillows, blankets, privacy screens, reading lights, USB ports, wifi and personal storage compartments.

Downstairs, passengers will find bathroom and changing facilities and a snack bar stocked with light refreshments.

Each guest will be allowed to bring one large suitcase (up to 23kg) and a small carry-on, with options to book extra space for bikes or sports equipment.

Sustainability is a major part of Twiliner’s identity. The buses will run on HVO diesel, a renewable fuel made from recycled fats and vegetable oils.

The company says the system cuts carbon emissions by up to 85% compared to flying and is on par with train travel in terms of sustainability.

The trips will, however, not be cheap: one-way fares start around €155 (about $AU270) to €250 depending on distance and season. But you will save on the cost of a hotel room overnight. 

The network will debut with one route: Zurich–Basle-Luxembourg-Brussels-Rotterdam-Amsterdam.

By the end of 2025, a second route between Zurich and Barcelona will be launched: Zurich–Berne-Girona-Barcelona.

Initially operating several times per week in December, Twiliner expects to offer daily departures by mid-2026.

Additional routes are already planned for 2026 with the aim of a total of 30 European destinations within the next three years. These would include cities such as Copenhagen, London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Munich and Vienna.

“This is about redefining how people move across Europe at night,” said Twiliner CEO Samuel Keller. “You can rest, work, or simply sleep your way from one city to another - comfortably and sustainably.”

See https://www.twiliner.com/en/

China to add new high-speed rail route

 

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has given the go ahead for a major new high-speed rail link between Shanghai and Hangzhou.

The new route is part of a broader push to expand the country’s already vast rail network, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The 222.8km line will connect Shanghai East - a new station under construction near Pudong Airport - to Hangzhou in just 40 minutes.

Both cities are already linked by a high-speed train but the new line will cut nearly a third off the current fastest journey.

The $US9.35 billion project will serve nine stations. It includes new stops at Fengxian, Shanghai Jinshan, Pinghu City, and Linping.

Existing stations at Situan, Jiaxing South, Tongxiang, and Hangzhou West will be upgraded to handle the expected surge in traffic.

For Shanghai East, the project marks a significant milestone. The station is set to become a key transportation hub, linking Pudong Airport with high-speed rail for the first time.

The project will boost the airport’s competitiveness with its rivals in China, including Hong Kong.

The new line is expected to drive economic integration between Shanghai and Zhejiang province, supporting growth in the Yangtze River Delta, one of China’s most dynamic economic regions.

The NDRC also approved construction of a 234.5 km line in Tibet on the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. The $US3.1 billion project will initially open with five stations. It will improve access in a region where rail development can be logistically challenging.

Meanwhile, construction will begin next month on the Yining–Aksu line in Xinjiang, a region bordering Central Asia.

The 794km single-track electrified line will require six years to build and carry a price tag of $US5.3 billion. Designed for speeds up to 160 kmh, it will feature 24 stations, half of them equipped with passing loops to support mixed passenger and freight traffic.

In Australia, meanwhile, the interstate rail network remains prehistoric.

Fancy flying Australia to China via Vietnam?

Fast-growing Vietjet this week announced the launch of two new direct routes connecting Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, with Chengdu and Xi’an in China. 

The inaugural flights are scheduled for July 1 and July 6 respectively. 

Each route will operate four return flights per week, boosting the airline’s China–Vietnam network to seven new routes introduced in the first half of 2025.

These new services are aimed to appeal to Australian travellers looking to explore multi-stop itineraries across Asia with connections from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth via Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City into China. 

The launch also supports growing demand for trade, tourism, and business travel in the broader Asia-Pacific region.

To celebrate the launch, Vietjet is offering promotional tickets at super-saver fares viawww.vietjetair.com and via the Vietjet Air mobile app.

These new routes follow the recent launches connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as the Hanoi-Shanghai service. 

With the addition of Chengdu and Xi’an, Vietjet strengthens its position as a leading low-cost carrier providing direct access to China from Vietnam.

For Australians using Vietnam as a regional hub, Vietjet’s wider network recently includes direct flights from Vietnam to India (Hyderabad, Bengaluru), Japan (Nagoya, Fukuoka) and a new service between Phu Quoc Island and Singapore will also be starting at the end of this month. 

# Vietjet is a full member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. It is Vietnam’s largest private carrier. 

Discover $199 fares between Australia and Vietnam - but you'll need to be quick

My friends at Vietjet, now the biggest Vietnamese airline flying between Australia and Vietnam, have launched four new non-stop services connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Beijing and Guangzhou in China.

These routes mark a milestone in Vietjet’s expansion in 2025, which includes new routes to India, Japan, and Singapore.

Australian travellers now have more opportunities to explore China with a cost-effective transit network through Vietnam.

With many Chinese students studying in Australia, this also offers a convenient travel option for those returning home during holidays or visiting family.

To celebrate thew destinations, Vietjet is offering a limited-time promotion from now until April 5 (so you'll need to be quick) \with all-inclusive one-way Eco-class fares starting as low as $!99 for all routes between Australia and Vietnam.

Australians wanting to explore Vietnam can also find deals when booking domestic flights within the country. The travel period is between April 15 and March 28, 2026, for bookings made via www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile app.

The routes between Ho Chi Minh City and Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as between Hanoi and Guangzhou, have already commenced daily services. 

The Hanoi-Beijing route will initially operate three times a week before transitioning to a daily service on April 27 while a new Hanoi-Shanghai service will commence on April 29, offering daily flights.

Since its first flight from Vietnam to China in 2014, Vietjet has strengthened its flight network between the two neighbouring countries, which now covers more than 50 destinations across China. 

“Vietjet is excited to launch four new routes from Vietnam to Beijing and Guangzhou, major economic, cultural, and tourist hubs in China, as part of our ongoing strategy to expand our flight network," said Vietjet vice chairwoman Nguyen Thanh Ha. 

"With this expansion, we will continue to provide affordable and convenient travel options for both locals and tourists, further enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and China, and beyond.”

Vietjet is also set to launch its inaugural route between Ho Chi Minh City and Auckland in New Zealand in September.

Discounted fares - and a new way to fly to China

Vietjet has just unveiled a new sale on fares - and a new way to get to China.

The Vietnamese budget airline this week unveiled 50% off flights between Vietnam and Australia from now until February 7.

The deal is available on flights every Friday for travel between February 10 and March 31.

In addition, Vietjet is also launching four new direct routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing and Guangzhou, starting from March 30.

Tickets are now available for bookings through all sales channels, at promotional fares. The new routes further extend Vietjet's growing Vietnam-China service - making it easy for Australian travellers keen to explore China conveniently and affordably via Vietnam.

With these additions, the airline will add 24 weekly round-trip flights to its growing flight network between Vietnam and China.

Bookings can be made www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile app.

The availability of discounted seats varies depending on the route and travel dates.

Vietjet boasts one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient Airbus fleets in the Asia-Pacific area and has been recognised once again as one of the world's safest airlines for 2025 by AirlineRatings, a leading airline safety and product rating organisation.

Rex expands its domestic coverage; slams Virgin tardiness

Rex Airlines has announced new routes that will boost its coverage across major Australian airports.

Rex launched flights between Perth and Melbourne last week and today unveiled three flight per week between Perth and Adelaide using an an Embraer E-190 operated by its subsidiary National Jet Express, offering one-way fares from $249 in economy.

It is the 12th intercity route launched by Rex, which has previously focused on regional destinations.

NJE Director Anthony Gibara said flights on the new route are on sale now for travel from June 28 onwards.

"This is terrific news for Perth and Adelaide travellers because more operators means more competition but in the case of Rex, it also means better service and reliability,” Gibara said.

“There were almost 85 cancelled flights by Virgin and Qantas carriers on this route in the first four months of 2024 and in the case of Virgin, its on-time arrivals and departures were terrible.

“Just 56% of its flights arrived on time during that period, while its on time departures were only slightly better at 59%. Travellers deserve better and they will get it with Rex.

The Rex Group now flies to major capital cities and popular destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and the Gold Coast.

South Australia Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the new Rex service will help entice more visitors to South Australia from what is the state’s fourth-largest interstate market.

“It is very welcome news that Rex will start flying Perth to Adelaide, adding more flights into our state and offering another option for visitors from WA to see South Australia,” Bettison said.

All fares include checked baggage and refreshments. See rex.com.au or a travel agent.

EasyJet unveils a raft of new travel destinations

Heading for Europe next year? Fancy a sunshine getaway?

The budget airline EasyJet has launched a dozen new routes from eight UK airports.

The new flights includes three routes to holiday resort Alicante in Spain and Enfidha in Tunisia, as well as the resumption of flights to Reus in in the province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. This area has always been an important producer of wines and spirits.

New routes to Alicante will launch from Southampton on March 31, and Belfast City on May 2.

Flights are also relaunching from Newcastle to Alicante from April 2 and all three routes will operate throughout summer.

The airline will also restart flights from Luton to Reus and launch a new Reus route from Manchester.

Both will start on April 2 and operate twice a week throughout the summer.

The airline has also unveiled three new routes to Enfidha in north-eastern Tunisia, which will which operate year-round.

Enfidha holiday packages and flights begin from April 1 from Liverpool, Belfast International and Glasgow, all flying twice a week.

Also launching next northern summer is a new route from Bristol to Malta with flight taking off for the first time on the Easter weekend. It will run twice a week throughout summer on Wednesdays and Fridays.

A new route from Glasgow to Larnaca in Cyprus begins on May 4 and will operate twice a week throughout summer.

A new route from Southampton to Faro in Portugal will launch on June 6, operating once a week throughout the peak summer season.