SIA will increase services between Singapore and Amsterdam from daily to 10 weekly flights between August 1 and October 22, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

The additional Amsterdam frequencies build on recent European network growth, including increased services to Manchester, Milan and Munich, a double-daily operation to London Gatwick, and a new five-times-weekly Madrid service via Barcelona.

Separately, SIA and Air New Zealand will increase capacity across their joint Singapore-New Zealand network by 17 per cent, adding around 72,000 seats.

Air New Zealand will launch a new three-times-weekly Singapore-Christchurch service and add four weekly Auckland-Singapore flights. Combined with SIA’s existing Christchurch operations, the airlines will offer up to 15 weekly Christchurch services during the peak period from November 2026 to February 2027.

SIA will also deploy the Airbus A380 on one of its two daily Auckland services, replacing the Boeing 777-300ER on that frequency.

Cathay Pacific to launch Almaty flights
Cathay Pacific will commence direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in the first quarter of 2027, marking the airline’s first destination in Central Asia.

The carrier intends to operate three weekly flights using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The route will be the only direct air service between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.

The new service will expand Cathay Pacific’s network in Central Asia and strengthen connectivity between Hong Kong and a key Belt and Road market.

Philippine Airlines, Qantas strengthen frequent flyer partnership
Philippine Airlines and Qantas Airways have expanded their frequent flyer partnership, allowing members of the Mabuhay Miles and Qantas Frequent Flyer programmes to redeem points across both airlines’ networks.

Mabuhay Miles members can now redeem miles on Qantas international and domestic flights, while Qantas Frequent Flyer members gain access to Philippine Airlines’ network across the Philippines and South-east Asia.

The agreement broadens redemption options across both carriers and marks the fourth airline partnership under the Mabuhay Miles programme.

Vietjet adds Prague and Nha Trang routes in network expansion
Vietjet will launch services between Hanoi and Prague from October 10, 2026, and between Nha Trang and Singapore from December 11, 2026.

The additions expand the airline’s European and South-east Asian network, strengthen connectivity between Vietnam and key international markets, and increase access to destinations across Vietjet’s network.

The new Hanoi-Prague route will operate twice weekly using Airbus A330 aircraft, with a stop in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The service marks Vietjet’s expansion into the Czech market and further strengthens links between Vietnam and Europe.

Vietjet has also introduced a new direct service between Nha Trang and Singapore. The route will operate four times weekly and will become the airline’s fifth direct connection between Singapore and Vietnam.

Credits: TTG

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A flight from Melbourne to Dallas made an unexpected stop in Tahiti after a passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant during a mid-air confrontation.

The man, believed to be a New Zealand national, received a lifetime ban from Qantas and Jetstar airlines after the disruption caused the plane to divert.

The man was filmed by fellow passengers as he stumbled in the aisle, arguing with airline staff and attempting to “walk out for a ciggie”.

Footage uploaded by comedian Mike Goldstein did not show the alleged biting, but did show an extended dispute between the passenger and airline staff.

A clip of the flight attendant telling the passenger he was carrying on “like a bloody two-bob watch” is gaining traction online.

The saying refers to someone behaving erratically or frantically. Mr Goldstein admitted he had never heard the phrase before, but said he plans to adopt it into his own vocabulary.

“You’ll be restrained if you don’t behave yourself, you’ll be restrained for the whole trip,” the flight attendant warned the man, before walking him to the back of the plane.

The dispute occurred 11 hours before the QF21’s expected arrival in Dallas.

Authorities met the plane in Papeete, and the man was removed.

He is facing a lifetime Qantas ban, with a spokesperson for the airline saying “the safety of our customers and our crew is our number one priority”.

“We have zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour on our flights,” the spokesperson said.

Credits: Qantas

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