Sky is the limit for UAE travellers: Airlines launch 50 routes in June

Dubai: The skies above the GCC are buzzing with increased activity as major international carriers, in partnership with regional powerhouses, expand their long-haul networks, opening vital new international links this June.

This expansion is set to significantly bolster the UAE and wider GCC region's position as a global aviation hub.

According to an Aviation Week report, at least 50 new routes are being launched by UAE, regional and international airlines this month, ahead of the ultra-busy summer travel period. This allows UAE travellers to explore new destinations over the summer.

UAE airlines

UAE carriers are launching multiple flights this month. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has launched three weekly flights to Almaty on the A320. Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, has begun flying to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport four times a week on the Boeing 777-300ER. Etihad Airways has launched operations at Warsaw Chopin airport (four times a week), starting June 3.

Dubai’s second main airline, flydubai, launched daily flights to Antalya on June 5. And finally, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched thrice weekly flights (on an A321) from June 4 onwards.

Regional flights

A key highlight for the Gulf is Virgin Australia's inaugural flights to Doha, Qatar, marking a strategic expansion of its international footprint. This move comes as part of its strengthened partnership with Qatar Airways, which acquired a 25 per cent stake in the Australian carrier last September. Starting June 12, Virgin Australia will offer daily service from Sydney to Doha, followed by flights from Brisbane on June 19 and Perth on June 26.

These routes will utilize Boeing 777-300ERs wet-leased from Qatar Airways, further cementing the collaborative ties between the two airlines and enhancing travel options for passengers connecting through the Middle East.

Saudia is launching twice weekly flights from Jeddah to Venice Marco Polo in the region starting June 13. Royal Air Maroc is launching thrice-weekly Casablanca to London Stansted flights beginning June 24. Kuwait’s Jazeera will fly to Sochi starting June 26. Gulf Air has begun operating five weekly flights from Bahrain to Nairobi. Budget carrier flyadeal will operate flights from Riyadh to Salalah beginning June 19.

Flights to the sub-continent

Furthermore, direct links to the Indian subcontinent from the GCC's extended network are growing. Ethiopian Airlines is expanding to Hyderabad, India, with three weekly flights from Addis Ababa starting June 16, facilitating connections for passengers travelling to and from the Gulf.

Royal Jordanian is also returning to India by launching a four-times-weekly service to Mumbai from Amman, beginning June 19, further enhancing regional connectivity to one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Global airlines

Beyond the Gulf, June also sees significant network expansions by other major carriers. United Airlines is making history with its first-ever nonstop service to Nuuk, Greenland, operating a twice-weekly flight from Newark Liberty International Airport starting June 5.

Delta Air Lines is also re-entering the transpacific market from Salt Lake City with daily nonstop service to Seoul Incheon from June 12, adding five routes to the South Korean capital. Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines is expanding its U.S. presence with a new 4X-weekly route to Ontario International Airport in Southern California, catering to the large Taiwanese population in the greater Los Angeles area.

These new routes underscore the dynamic growth in the aviation sector and the increasing importance of the UAE and GCC as crucial connecting points for global travel and trade.