Airlines around the world are unveiling new routes and expanded schedules for the summer 2026 season, opening up fresh travel opportunities across Europe, North America and beyond. From low-cost carriers to long-haul operators, airlines including easyJet and ITA Airways have already announced plans to grow their networks, responding to rising travel demand and renewed interest in both short and long-haul destinations.
Upcoming new routes
The newly revealed services range from short-haul holiday routes to milestone transatlantic connections, reflecting a broader push by airlines to strengthen connectivity and offer passengers greater choice ahead of the peak summer travel period.
Tap Air Portugal strengthens the Azores connectivity with a new route between Porto and Terceira. The Portuguese flag-carrier will begin seasonal flights connecting mainland Portugal’s second city with the Azores island, an increasingly popular destination for travellers seeking different landscapes and Atlantic coastlines. Industry sources have noted the launch is reflecting the airline’s broader expansion strategy for next summer.
In another first for Albania, Tirana International Airport will see its first-ever nonstop transatlantic service. Air Transat plans a weekly Toronto-Tirana route using an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, operating from June 18-19 through October 2026. This marks Tirana’s first direct link to North America, a milestone expected to boost tourism and ease travel for diaspora communities.
easyJet is also growing its network, introducing a new summer 2026 service from London Southend to Ibiza. Flights will begin next April, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, ideal for weekend breaks on the Balearic party island. In June 2026 easyJet will also start a new service London Gatwick to Reus, Catalonia which will operate three flights a week.
From Italy, ITA Airways has launched three seasonal Mediterranean routes from Rome Fiumicino to Malaga, Valencia and Marseille, running daily from June to September 2026. These join broader enhancements that include resuming twice-daily Rome to London Heathrow flights and a bold new intercontinental service between Rome and Houston, scheduled to begin next May as the airline’s ninth North American destination.
More frequent services in 2026
In Brazil, LATAM Airlines Brasil will expand service in Minas Gerais. From March 2026, the carrier will add two extra Sunday frequencies on the busy São Paulo-Belo Horizonte route, boosting weekly flights to 58, and one additional Sunday service to Uberlândia, bringing that total to 13. From June 15, weekday flights between São Paulo Guarulhos and Uberlândia will grow to 26 weekly frequencies.
Lastly, Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is increasing capacity on its Munich-Abu Dhabi route with a third daily nonstop service from September 2026, operated with an Airbus A321LR. The additional frequency complements existing Boeing 787 services and underscores sustained demand for connections between Germany and the UAE.
Together, these announcements reflect a broader trend of airline network growth heading into the 2026 travel season, offering travellers more options whether they are planning sun-soaked holidays, exploring cultural cities, or flying to newly connected global destinations.
Will you travel to one of the new destinations? Let us know in the comments.
