Airline News in Brief 19 October 2026

Air India opens a new gateway to Japan: Air India announced new non-stop flights between Delhi and Osaka (Kansai International Airport), becoming the only airline to operate on the Delhi-Osaka route. Beginning 2 February 2027, Air India will operate four weekly flights between India’s capital and Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area using its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, further strengthening connectivity between India and Japan. Osaka will become Air India’s second destination in Japan after Tokyo (Haneda), where the airline currently operates daily flights from Delhi and four weekly flights from Mumbai. The new service expands Air India’s presence in a market witnessing strong growth in demand from Indian travellers and deepening economic, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries. The Boeing 787-8 deployed on the route features 18 full-flat beds in Business Class and 241 seats in Economy Class, delivering a comfortable travel experience between the two countries. Japan continues to gain popularity among Indian travellers. More than 315,000 Indian visitors travelled to Japan in 2025, an increase of 35% over 2024 and nearly 80% above pre-pandemic levels, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Akasa Air launches Udaipur operations: Akasa Air has commenced operations from Udaipur, connecting the city with Mumbai and Bengaluru with daily direct flights. The first flight on 15th October 2026 departed Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur at 1135 hrs, arriving at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru at 1355 hrs. The launch marks Akasa Air’s second destination in Rajasthan after Jaipur, strengthening connectivity to one of India’s most prominent tourism and leisure markets, while offering travellers from Udaipur greater access to key metropolitan hubs. To commemorate the launch, a ceremonial lamp-lighting ceremony was held at Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur, in the presence of Harjinder Singh Bhasin, Senior Vice President – Airports, Akasa Air, along with representatives from Akasa Air and the leadership of airport. A special boarding pass was presented to the first passenger of the inaugural flight. Etihad Airways and Southwest Airlines announce loyalty partnership: Etihad Guest and Rapid Rewards, the loyalty programme of Southwest Airlines have announced a loyalty partnership allowing members to earn and redeem across both airlines’ networks. From Spring 2027, Etihad Guest members will be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on eligible Southwest Airlines flights and redeem their miles for reward travel across Southwest’s network spanning the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Rapid Rewards members will likewise be able to earn Rapid Rewards points on eligible Etihad flights and redeem their points for travel across Etihad’s expanding global network, including new destinations like Krabi, Zanzibar and Hanoi. Mark Potter, Managing Director, Etihad Guest, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Southwest Airlines and Rapid Rewards, an exciting addition to our growing portfolio of loyalty partners and Etihad’s presence across North America. We look forward to welcoming Rapid Rewards members onboard Etihad soon, to explore our growing global network and experience our signature hospitality, while offering Etihad Guest members greater access to destinations across the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. This partnership brings together two programmes with a shared focus on rewarding loyalty and giving members greater choice wherever their journeys take them.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]