Airlines across the world have announced a series of new route launches and network expansions this week, offering travellers more options across long-haul and regional markets as carriers gear up for increased demand in 2026.
Finnair, BermudAir and Volotea new routes
Finnair will enter the Australian market for the first time with a daily service between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok, starting in October 2026. Flights will be operated with an Airbus A350-900, departing Helsinki shortly after midnight, stopping in Bangkok in the afternoon and arriving in Melbourne the following morning. On the return leg, the service will leave Melbourne mid-afternoon with a stop in Bangkok before landing in Helsinki early the next day, aligning with the airline’s European network connections.
In the Caribbean, BermudAir has launched a new sub-brand, AnguillAir, debuting seasonal nonstop flights to Anguilla from multiple U.S. Northeast gateways. Service from Boston Logan International began Dec. 17, 2025, followed by Newark Liberty International on Dec. 18 and Baltimore International on Dec. 19. All routes will operate twice weekly through April 2026, with Embraer E-jets providing connections to the luxury island destination. The carrier described the new brand as the first phase of a longer-term plan to expand seasonal flights and reach more destinations
In Europe, Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea is planning to open a new base at Montpellier Airport in southern France in early November 2026, stationing an Airbus A320 to support four new routes to Bordeaux, Madrid, Tenerife Sur and Lanzarote. The base will strengthen Volotea’s growing regional network from Montpellier, where it already serves a significant share of scheduled capacity.
These developments highlight a mix of long-haul ambition and targeted regional growth, with carriers responding to both leisure demand and strategic network opportunities ahead of the 2026 travel season.
What do you think about these new routes? Let us know in the comments.
