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UAE airlines unveil 50 new international flight routes ahead of busy summer season
UAE airlines launch 50 new routes in June, including flights to Bangkok, Warsaw, Antalya, Almaty, and Hyderabad/ Image: KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images
This June, the UAE and Gulf region's skies are experiencing an unprecedented surge in activity as over 50 new international routes are being launched by national and regional carriers, setting the stage for a record-breaking summer travel season.
UAE airlines take the lead with major route expansions
According to
Aviation Week
, these new connections, spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas and beyond, are part of a strategic push to further position the UAE as a central hub in global aviation. Major airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Gulf Air are at the forefront of this expansion.
Emirates has launched four weekly flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Etihad Airways began four weekly flights to Warsaw Chopin Airport on June 3, tapping into the growing demand for connectivity between the UAE and Poland.
flydubai launched daily flights to Antalya, Turkey, on June 5, offering increased access to this popular Mediterranean destination.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi began operating three weekly flights on its Airbus A321 from June 4, opening up additional low-cost travel options.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has introduced three weekly A320 flights to Almaty, strengthening ties with Central Asia.
These developments come as the UAE prepares for a busy summer season, with travellers from the Emirates gaining greater access to both leisure and business hubs across continents.
Regional carriers join global push for connectivity
The regional network is also expanding significantly:
Virgin Australia, backed by a 25% stake from Qatar Airways, will launch its first-ever flights to Doha starting June 12 from Sydney, followed by Brisbane on June 19 and Perth on June 26. These routes will be operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft wet-leased from Qatar Airways, a move that deepens the strategic partnership between the two carriers.
Saudia will begin twice-weekly flights from Jeddah to Venice Marco Polo Airport starting June 13, increasing connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Royal Air Maroc adds a European connection with thrice-weekly flights from Casablanca to London Stansted beginning June 24.
Jazeera Airways (Kuwait) will start flights to Sochi, Russia, on June 26, while Saudi Arabia's flyadeal will operate flights from Riyadh to Salalah, Oman, beginning June 19.
Gulf Air has launched five weekly flights between Bahrain and Nairobi, expanding links between the Gulf and East Africa.
These efforts are not only increasing tourism and trade flows, but also reinforcing the Middle East's role as a bridge between continents.
New links to the Indian subcontinent
Flights to and from South Asia, a crucial market for Gulf carriers, are also seeing expansion:
Ethiopian Airlines will launch three weekly flights from Addis Ababa to Hyderabad, India, beginning June 16.
Royal Jordanian is making its return to India with a four-times-weekly service from Amman to Mumbai starting June 19.
These routes aim to meet growing demand from expatriates, business travellers and tourists while enhancing connectivity between two vital regions.
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Global airlines tap into new frontiers
The global picture is equally dynamic:
United Airlines
launched its first-ever nonstop service to Nuuk, Greenland from Newark Liberty International Airport, with twice-weekly flights starting June 5, marking a milestone for Arctic connectivity.
Delta Air Lines
is re-entering the transpacific market with daily nonstop service from Salt Lake City to Seoul Incheon, starting June 12, and adding five additional routes to South Korea.
Taiwan's Starlux Airlines is expanding its U.S. footprint with four weekly flights to Ontario International Airport in Southern California, serving the large Taiwanese diaspora in Los Angeles and boosting leisure travel.
These new services reinforce the broader trend of diversifying global travel and trade routes, with the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia serving as critical transit points.
UAE airports ready for summer surge
With this large-scale expansion, Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi International (AUH), and Sharjah International (SHJ) are bracing for a major influx of passengers. The UAE's aviation infrastructure, known for efficiency and connectivity, is well positioned to handle the growing number of travellers passing through its hubs.
This month's developments underscore the country's strategic ambitions and operational capabilities in the aviation sector. With new access to both emerging and mature markets, the UAE is now more than just a stopover, it's a global crossroads for the future of air travel.
