Turkish Airlines is preparing to add premium economy to its future Airbus A350 long-haul fleet, a move that would give the Star Alliance carrier a stronger product bridge between economy and business class just as it prepares for longer-range flying from Istanbul, including its planned nonstop Australia services.

Airline and travel groups are warning that the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System could create severe border delays at airports this summer, turning an immigration technology rollout into a passenger-experience and operations issue for carriers across Europe.

Ethiopian Airlines plans to add Nacala, Mozambique, to its network in July 2026 through a three-times-weekly Addis Ababa-Blantyre-Nacala-Addis Ababa triangle route. The move gives Ethiopian a new point in northern Mozambique while also reshaping service to Blantyre, Beira, and Bulawayo.

Air China is cutting its Shenzhen-Frankfurt schedule from June through early September 2026, reducing the route first from three weekly flights to two and then to just one weekly service. The Star Alliance carrier is also removing planned Boeing 747-8I flying from selected Beijing-Frankfurt services during July and August.

Korean Air will add seasonal Sapporo New Chitose-Seoul Incheon flights from July 1 through August 31, 2026, increasing the route to as many as three daily round trips on peak operating days. The extra Airbus A321neo service reflects strong summer demand between Hokkaido and South Korea.

International Airlines Group has set an ambitious medium-term target for IAG Loyalty, aiming to grow the Avios-centered business toward a 1 billion euro operating profit. For British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, Qatar Airways, Finnair, and other Avios-linked partners, the message is clear: loyalty is no longer a side business attached to flying.

Qatar Airways says it will expand its international network to more than 150 destinations from June 16, with an updated summer schedule running through September 15. The move shows Doha’s network machine continuing to rebuild even as Middle East disruption keeps airline planning unusually fragile.

Qantas Group has confirmed the first passenger flights from Western Sydney International Airport, with Jetstar set to operate the new airport’s first commercial service to the Gold Coast on October 25, 2026. QantasLink will follow in March 2027, making the new 24-hour airport a serious second gateway for Australia’s largest city.

ITA Airways will join the Lufthansa Group and All Nippon Airways joint venture for Europe-Japan flying this fall, adding Rome-Tokyo Haneda to one of Star Alliance’s most important long-haul cooperation platforms. The move is another concrete step in ITA’s integration into Lufthansa Group and gives travelers a more coordinated way to connect between Italy, Central Europe and Japan.

European aviation groups are urging the European Commission not to expand the geographic scope of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation, warning that a wider reach could trigger international retaliation. The issue sounds technical, but it could affect airline costs, long-haul competitiveness, sustainable aviation fuel funding and the political balance between European climate ambition and global aviation diplomacy.