New airline routes connect global cities amid competitive travel landscape

Malaysia Airlines resumed nonstop flights between Kuala Lumpur and Paris on March 22 after an absence since January 2016. The daily A350-900 service is now the only nonstop option available for this market.

Spirit Airlines has started several new routes including Baltimore to Punta Cana and Louisville to Myrtle Beach. These additions are part of Spirit's expansion strategy during spring break, where it also commenced routes like Chicago O’Hare to Pensacola and Detroit to Pensacola.

Hainan Airlines reconnected Beijing Capital with Oslo on March 22 after a hiatus due to the pandemic. The three-times-weekly A330-300 service resumes the link between China and Norway that was first established in summer 2019.

Indonesia AirAsia returned to Darwin with flights from Bali starting March 22 after a seven-year gap. This three-weekly A320 service competes with Jetstar’s existing operations and marks Indonesia AirAsia’s return as one of two AirAsia Group units serving Darwin by June.

Vietjet launched its first services from Ho Chi Minh City to Hyderabad and Bengaluru on March 18 and 19 respectively. Both routes offer overnight returns and are expected to increase traffic due to low fares despite initially negligible point-to-point markets.