At 18:18 local time on November 29th, the inaugural Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur landed at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport. The company will operate on 329-passenger Airbus A350-900 aircraft, although the first two services were by Boeing 777-300(ER).
Turkish will fly this route four times per week, offering 1,316 weekly seats. Sydney becomes the airline’s second destination in Australia following Melbourne, which is operated to/from IST via Singapore with the same aircraft.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Flights will take about 19 hours and will cover a 9,300-mile flight path. The Istanbul – Kuala Lumpur – Sydney route is the longest service in its entire network.
Turkish Airlines plans to begin non-stop flights between Istanbul and Sydney in 2026 with Airbus A350-1000s.
On the arrival of the first aircraft in Sydney, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi stated: “This momentous occasion marks Turkish Airlines’ longest flight path in history, as we happily add our second Australian city to our flight network. The arrival of our first flight from Istanbul to Sydney represents our ongoing commitment to connect travellers across the globe, providing a seamless gateway between Europe and Australia with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Once we receive our aircraft capable of conducting the journey in a single leap, we look forward to further expanding our offering in the near future with Australia’s first non-stop flights to Istanbul.”
Australian market with new flights
As well as Turkish, many airlines made significant additions to Australia over the last few weeks, whether they were restarts after several years due to the pandemic or new inaugural routes. In addition, there were also various announcements for 2025, which we will comment on later in the report, and the incorporation of Skytrans’ first A319.
China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Jetstar Airways and Juneyao Airlines were some of the airlines that recently added new services, while Fiji Airways, Link Airways, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia will commence new flights next year.
China Airlines
China Southern Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Fiji Airways
- Nadi (NAN) – Cairns (CNS): 3 weekly · April 10th, 2025 · 7M8
Jetstar Airways
Juneyao Airlines
Link Airways
Qatar to resume services to Canberra
Following with new routes to Australia, Qatar Airways announced its return to Canberra as of December 1st, 2025 after a nearly six-year hiatus.
The airline will provide a daily frequency on the Doha – Melbourne – Canberra route and vice versa with Boeing 777-300(ER) jets.
Daily
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to be able to serve Canberra once again. The nation’s capital, the political heart of Australia, rightly expects to be served by a range of international airlines, and I am proud that we are able to play our part in that. Whether travelling for business, government services or leisure, our commitment to Australia, and to Canberra, is one that we know will bring much needed healthy competition to the market and greater choice for passengers.”
Canberra Airport CEO, Mr. Stephen Byron, highlighted the significance of the recommencement of services, highlighting its importance for the region. “The return of Qatar Airways marks an exciting and pivotal moment for Canberra and our surrounding regions. This service not only provides over a million residents access to a global network spanning more than 170 destinations but also invites the world to rediscover Canberra’s unique cultural, educational, and tourism offerings,” he said.
Skytrans adds its first Airbus A319
The Australian airline added its first Airbus A319-100 in mid-December, marking the first step in its fleet growth and the development of its ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) services.
On December 16th, the Airbus A319, with registration VH-L7A, arrived in Brisbane from Kaunas (Lithuania) via Dubai, and will enter service shortly.
Skytrans Airlines intends to add more Airbus A319-100s to its fleet during 2025, as well as De Havilland Canada DHC-8-200s.
Fleet
- Airbus A319-100: 1
- DHC-8-100: 5
- DHC-8-200: 3 (on order)
- DHC-8-300: 2
Malaysia Airlines launches flights with A330neo
On December 19th at 22:38 local time, Malaysia Airlines’ first scheduled flight with an Airbus A330-900neo departed Kuala Lumpur. The aircraft, registration 9M-MNG, which was added by the company in late November, operated flight MH 149 to Melbourne, where it landed at 09:05 local time on December 20th.
The A330neo represents the latest addition to Malaysia Airlines’ fleet, being the first of 20 to be delivered through 2028 following its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Avolon in August 2022. MAG’s Airbus A330neo will be configured for 297 passengers (28 seats in Business and 269 in Economy, of which 24 seats will have extra legroom).
Fleet
- Airbus A330-200: 9
- Airbus A330-300: 15
- Airbus A330-900: 1
- Airbus A350-900: 7
- Boeing 737-800: 42
- Boeing 737 MAX 8: 5
At the moment, Melbourne will be the only destination for Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A330neo.
Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said, “The debut of our first A330neo marks a transformative moment for MAG as we modernize our fleet and set a new era of air travel where innovation, comfort, and sustainability come together seamlessly. This commitment underscores our dedication to placing our passengers at the heart of everything we do, delivering an exceptional and unforgettable journey that embodies the warmth and care of Malaysian Hospitality.”
We review other highlights of the Asia and Oceania market during December
The Korean airline will inaugurate services between Seoul Incheon and Osaka starting February 6th, 2025, which it will provide two times a week on 180-seat Airbus A320s.
Thursday and Sunday
Aero K will compete with Air Busan, Air Seoul, Asiana Airlines, Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Korean Air, Peach and T’Way air on this route.
Beijing – Xi’An – Minsk, Air China’s new route to Belarus.
The airline will launch operations on December 28th by Airbus A330-200 aircraft with a capacity of 265, 283 or 307 passengers in two classes.
Saturday
This will be Air China’s first route to the Belarusian capital from Xi’An.
Effective January 21st, 2025, the company will begin flying to Singapore from Mangalore, by Air India Express. Services will be conducted with Boeing 737-800s, twice-weekly.
Tuesday and Friday
The carrier will boost from 21 to 28 flights per week between Macau and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi from January 1st, 2025, following the discontinuation of the Macau – Bangkok Don Mueang route on December 31st.
MFM – BKK
BKK – MFM
Flight NX 936/935 changes from DMK to BKK.
Air Macau operates on Airbus A320-200 configured for 158 passengers.
By summer 2025, Air Tahiti Nui will offer 11 weekly services between Papeete and Los Angeles. The new operations will commence on June 23rd, 2025 and will continue until early September 2025.
PPT – LAX
LAX – PPT
At present, the carrier serves this route on a daily basis.
The Japanese airline will maintain year-round flights between Tokyo Narita and Perth.
According to its website, All Nippon Airways will operate three times a week to the Australian city from March 30th, 2025 onwards, with 246-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets.
Monday, Thursday and Saturday
ANA is the only operator on the Tokyo – Perth route.
Batik Air Malaysia will add two new routes between Kuala Lumpur and China, starting in March 2025. The company will fly Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft:
Business seats will be offered to Delhi.
Cambodia Angkor Air will introduce the Airbus A321-200 on the Phnom Penh – Delhi route as of January 7th, 2025. In accordance with its website, one of the two services will be conducted with A321s.
PNH – DEL
DEL – PNH
A320s are configured with Economy only, and A321s with Business (16) and Economy (168).
The Uzbek company modifies its operations in Sri Lanka, switching Colombo to Hambantota Mattala on the weekly flight from Tashkent.
Centrum Air will serve with 216-seat, single-class Airbus A321neo aircraft:
Sunday
The first flight, scheduled for December 22nd, as can be seen through our database, was apparently not operated.
On December 20th at 17:01 local time, China Eastern Airlines’ inaugural flight to Phu Quoc took off Xi’An. The airline will operate three times per week to the Vietnamese city until mid-January 2025 using Airbus A320-200 aircraft with 158 seats.
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
More flights by COMAC C919.
The company started operating the Guangzhou – Haikou route with these aircraft on December 4th. As per our database, China Southern will provide 10 weekly services between the two cities with COMACs.
Daily except Tuesday and Wednesday
Daily except Tuesday and Wednesday
China Southern Airlines also operates the CAN – HAK route on Airbus A320 and Airbus A321.
It seems that the Venezuelan state-owned carrier has launched a new route to China on December 20th.
Conviasa schedules to operate a weekly frequency between Caracas and Guangzhou via Moscow Vnukovo with Airbus A340-600 aircraft configured for 348 passengers. The company, based on its website, will serve as follows:
Friday
Monday
Algeria, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria are some of the countries within its network.
Airbus A350s to Asia.
The airline will introduce the Airbus A350-900 on three routes in the Seattle – Trans Pacific Asia market, currently operated with Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. Flights will commence in March 2025.
Schedule
- SEA – Seoul Incheon (ICN): 7 weekly · March 29th, 2025
- SEA – Taipei (TPE): 7 weekly · March 29th, 2025
- SEA – Tokyo Haneda (HND): 7 weekly · May 23rd, 2025
Edelweiss Air will change operations in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, as it will no longer perform the Zurich – Colombo – Male – Zurich triangular route. The airline will offer two flights a week between Zurich and Colombo, and three weekly services on the Zurich – Male leg.
Male · October 27th, 2025
ZRH – MLE
MLE – ZRH
Colombo · October 28th, 2025
ZRH – CMB
CMB – ZRH
The carrier will initiate scheduled flights between Haikou and Tokyo Narita from February 3rd, 2025 with Boeing 737-800 planes, once per week.
Monday
Airbus A350-1000s to London Heathrow.
Japan Airlines will commence flying between Tokyo Haneda and London with 239-seat Airbus A350-1000 aircraft effective January 1st, 2025. The A350-1000s will operate one of the two daily frequencies, both of which are currently conducted by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.
HND – LHR
LHR – HND
The low cost carrier will inaugurate two new routes from South Korea, one from/to Seoul and the other to/from Busan.
- Busan (PUS) – Hong Kong (HKG): 7 weekly · January 25th, 2025 to February 6th, 2025
- Seoul (ICN) – Singapore (SIN): 7 weekly · March 30th, 2025
Mandarin began services between Kaohsiung and Matsu Nangan on November 6th with 70-passenger ATR 72-500 aircraft. The carrier was scheduled to operate until the end of November, but will maintain this route through early January 2025.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
At 19:15 local time on December 4th, Peach’s inaugural flight to Singapore departed from Osaka. The Japanese airline will have a daily frequency on Airbus A321NXs with a capacity of 218 passengers.
Daily
Peach has 3 Airbus A321LRs in its fleet, all with the same seat configuration.
Starting December 30th, UNI Air will expand to seven weekly services on the Taipei Sung Shan – Hualien route, which it currently offers four times a week.
The Taiwanese airline operates 70-seat ATR 72-500 airplanes.
TSA – HUN
HUN – TSA
New flights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
United Airlines will commence operations to Taipei from Guam on April 2nd, 2025 with 166-seat Boeing 737-800s.
Wednesday and Saturday
This route is in addition to the others announced by United in the Asian market, as we commented in this article.
New route to China’s Hainan Island.
The company inaugurated services between Tashkent and Sanya on December 18th, which was carried out with the Airbus A321neo registered as UK32102. Effective December 25th, Uzbekistan Airways will fly on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Wednesday/Thursday
Virgin has announced it will launch flights between Australia and Doha as of June 2025.
These services, according to its website, will be conducted by Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-300(ER), with pilots and crew from the Qatari airline. The schedule is confirmed for Northern Summer 2025.
Sydney · June 12th, 2025
Daily
Brisbane · June 19th, 2025
Daily
Perth · June 26th, 2025
Daily
Aircraft added by airlines in Asia and Oceania in November
| Aircraft | Airline | Registration | Ferry flight | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-10 | Korean Air | HL8573 | CHS-NRT-ICN | November 1st |
| Airbus A321-251NX | Pegasus | TC-RFD | TLS-SAW | November 1st |
| Airbus A321-251NX | HK express | B-KKJ | TLS-MCT-HKG | November 3rd |
| Airbus A321-251NX | Pegasus | TC-RFI | XFW-SAW | November 7th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | AirAsia | HS-EAE | XFW-ASB-DMK | November 8th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | IndiGo | VT-ICI | XFW-DEL | November 8th |
| Airbus A350-941 | Singapore | 9V-SJI | TLS-SIN | November 8th |
| Airbus A320-251N | China Southern | B-32JL | TLS-NQZ-CAN | November 9th |
| Airbus A321-272NX | Korean Air | HL8589 | TLS-TAS-GMP | November 16th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | HK express | B-KKL | TLS-MCT-HKG | November 17th |
| Airbus A320-251N | Starflyer | JA29MC | TLS-DWC-UTP-KKJ | November 18th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | IndiGo | VT-ICL | XFW-DEL | November 21st |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Jeju Air | HL7216 | BFI-ANC-NRT-GMP | November 21st |
| Airbus A321-251NX | IndiGo | VT-ICK | XFW-DEL | November 22nd |
| Airbus A320-251N | Jetstar | VH-A5A | TLS-MCT-KUL-MEL | November 24th |
| Airbus A320-251N | China Eastern | B-32K9 | TLS-NQZ-PVG | November 26th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | Pegasus | TC-RFJ | TLS-SAW | November 27th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | AirAsia | 9M-VAG | XFW-DWC-KUL | November 28th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | Asiana | HL8584 | XFW-TAS-ICN | November 28th |
| Airbus A321-271NX | China Airlines | B-18118 | XFW-DWC-BKK-TPE | November 28th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | IndiGo | VT-ICM | XFW-DEL | November 28th |
| Airbus A321-271NX | VietJet | VN-A543 | XFW-DXB-SGN | November 28th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | IndiGo | VT-ICG | XFW-DEL | November 29th |
| Airbus A330-941 | Malaysia Airlines | 9M-MNG | TLS-KUL | November 29th |
| Airbus A321-251NX | Pegasus | TC-RFG | TLS-SAW | November 29th |
| Airbus A320-271N | Sichuan Airlines | B-32JR | TLS-TAS-CFU | November 29th |
Other reports we have published
Cover photo: Zhesheng – JetPhotos (Kuala Lumpur Sepang Int’l Airport – WMKK – Malaysia)
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