British Airways unveiled (05-Oct-2026) new First, Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) cabins for its retrofitted A380 aircraft. The cabin refurbishment programme features redesigned interiors, new seats in every cabin and upgrades to the onboard experience, with the first A380 expected to enter service "in the coming months". The refurbished A380 will feature four cabins across two decks with 12 seats in First, 106 in Club World, 84 in World Traveller Plus and 215 in World Traveller. British Airways CEO Sean Doyle stated: "We've completely reimagined the customer experience, introducing new and updated seats in every cabin, all carefully considered to deliver greater comfort and an elevated customer experience". He added: "At the heart of the transformation is our brand-new First suite, but this investment goes far beyond a single cabin. From redesigned interiors and upgraded dining to new amenities and service delivery, every detail has been thoughtfully designed with our customers front and centre, helping them to have a more seamless and memorable experience when they fly with us". [more - original PR]
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Fiji Airways announced (02-Oct-2026) plans to add more than 125,000 seats across key markets in 2027, in response to "strong demand for travel to Fiji". The expansion will be delivered within the airline's existing fleet and is designed to provide greater choice and flexibility from Nadi. Details include:
- Western Sydney: Three times weekly from 19-Mar-2027, adding approximately 42,000 seats;
- Hong Kong: Increasing from three to five times weekly from Feb-2027, adding approximately 40,500 seats;
- Christchurch: Increasing from three to five times weekly from Mar-2027, adding approximately 20,000 seats;
- Singapore: Increasing from twice to three times weekly from Mar-2027, adding approximately 20,000 seats;
- Tokyo: Increasing from twice to three times weekly in Apr-2027 and again from Aug-2027, adding approximately 13,600 seats. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Fiji Airways previously planned to launch three times weekly Nadi-Western Sydney from 19-Mar-2027 with 737 MAX eight aircraft, complementing its twice daily Nadi-Sydney Kingsford Smith service; Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey highlighted late-night departures enabling productivity gains and weekend breaks.1 Christchurch International Airport also reported Fiji Airways would lift Nadi-Christchurch to up to five times weekly during the Dec-2026 and Jan-2027 peak.2
Singapore Airlines to close SilverKris Lounge at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport from Nov-2026
Singapore Airlines (SIA), via its official website, confirmed (05-Oct-2026) plans to close its SilverKris Lounge in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport from 01-Nov-2026 due to redevelopment works at the airport. Eligible business class customers, as well as PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members travelling on SIA-operated services from the airport will be invited to the Plaza Premium Lounge.
Riyadh Air announced (05-Oct-2026) plans to commence three times weekly Riyadh-Jakarta service with Boeing 787-9 equipment on 16-Nov-2026. Jakarta will be the airline's 16th destination. Riyadh Air will be the sole scheduled operator on the route, according to OAG. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Riyadh Air built up a Boeing 787-9 network from mid-2026, including three times weekly Kuala Lumpur from 30-Jul-2026 as its first Southeast Asia destination, developed with Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program1. It also launched Bangkok Suvarnabhumi three times weekly on 02-Sep-2026 and scheduled an increase to daily from 09-Nov-20262 3. Riyadh Air commenced Manila on 09-Sep-2026 and planned a move to daily from 19-Oct-20264 5.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), via its official Twitter account, announced (01-Oct-2026) Lamu Airport commenced handling international services on 30-Sep-2026, following the completion of "recent rehabilitation works [to enhance] the runway, taxiway & apron, enabling the airport to accommodate Code C aircraft". KAA also noted the completion of works to install "a new passenger walkway & additional aircraft parking capacity [to] strengthen airport operations". The airport authority noted Lamu Airport handled "five international flights from Nigeria, Ethiopia and Uganda" on 30-Sep-2026, including "welcoming a Boeing 737-800 series aircraft" for the first time.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced (02-Oct-2026) the delivery of its first A350 aircraft at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The aircraft will serve Toronto, Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar Es Salaam, Nairobi and Zanzibar. The delivery is part of KLM's EUR7 billion fleet renewal programme. President and CEO Marjan Rintel stated: "Fleet renewal is one of the most effective ways we can make our operations cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient". [more - original PR]
Most Read News Headlines
IATA: Europe-Asia corridor continues to expand 'strongly' in Aug-2026
IATA reported (30-Sep-2026) the following regional highlights for global passenger demand in Aug-2026:
- Asia Pacific airlines recorded a 0.1% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity decreased 0.9% and the passenger load factor (PLF) was 85.6%, up 0.7pp. Traffic on routes within Asia fell 2% and capacity declined "for the fourth month in a row." By contrast, traffic on the Asia-North America corridor grew 2.5%;
- European carriers recorded a 2.1% increase in demand and capacity rose 2.8%. The PLF was 86.8%, down 0.6pp. The Europe-Asia corridor continued to expand "strongly", up 12.2%, but "transatlantic routes fell 2.4%, with traffic declining from several markets including the UK and France";
- North American airlines recorded a 1.7% decrease in demand and capacity declined 1.1%. The PLF was 86.8%, down 0.5pp;
- Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 14.2% decrease in demand. Capacity declined 9.0% and the PLF was 79.1%, down 4.8pp. The decline in traffic "worsened" in Aug-2026, "reversing the trend of gradual stabilisation" since the beginning of conflict in Iran in Feb-2026. The year-on-year contraction on Middle East-Asia routes, for example, "accelerated" to -11.7% from -8.6% in Jul-2026;
- Latin American airlines recorded a 6.7% increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.4% and the PLF was 84.8%, down 0.2 pp;
- African carriers recorded a 6.7% increase in demand and capacity was up 8.3%. The PLF was 78.4%, down 1.2pp. [more - original PR - I] [more - original PR - II]
Alaska Airlines intends to join American Airlines' Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses
Alaska Airlines and American Airlines announced (29-Sep-2026) their intent for Alaska Airlines to join American's Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses, expanding international travel opportunities for customers and strengthening access to premium global travel experiences. The carriers anticipate filing for approval and antitrust immunity with the US Department of Transportation and seeking other relevant approvals from international regulators "in the coming months". [more - original PR - Alaska Airlines] [more - original PR - American Airlines]