New Airline Routes to Watch in 2024 Across Asia and Beyond

Travelers have plenty to look forward to in 2024 and beyond as airlines roll out new routes connecting exciting destinations worldwide. With more direct flights and expanded options, getting to your next adventure has never been easier. Let’s explore some of the most anticipated airline routes that are sure to open up new travel possibilities.

Expanding Routes Across Asia

Azerbaijan Airlines: Azerbaijan Airlines launched direct flights between Baku and the Maldives on 24 November 2024. Us a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, this new route offers a convenient link between Azerbaijan and the Maldives.

Air Arabia: Starting 27 October 2024, Air Arabia began flying daily between Sharjah and the Maldives. Further improving access to this island destination.

Air France: From 20 December 2024 to 5 January 2025, Air France will run up to two weekly flights between Paris and Malé, Maldives, using the Airbus A350-900 for the holiday season.

IndiGo: Starting 21 December 2024, IndiGo will offer daily nonstop flights between Chennai and Penang, Malaysia.

Korean Air: On 24 November 2024, Korean Air introduced a fourth daily flight between Seoul and Manila. Making travel between South Korea and the Philippines more frequent.

Vietjet & Emirates: Vietjet and Emirates have expanded their code-sharing, offering easier connections between Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Dubai.

Greater Bay Airlines: In November 2024, Greater Bay Airlines launched a new three-times-a-week service between Hong Kong and Tokushima, Japan.

Air Macau: Air Macau introduced new flights between Macau and Taichung, Taiwan, and increased service to Bangkok and Guiyang.

Etihad Airways: Starting in 2025, Etihad Airways will launch ten new destinations. Including Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh, and Taipei. These routes will enhance connectivity between the Middle East and Asia.

Saudia: In response to growing demand, Saudia will offer six weekly flights between Jeddah and Phuket, starting December 2024.

AirAsia X: AirAsia X launched its first direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi on 15 November 2024. Marking the first connection between the capitals of Malaysia and Kenya.

New Routes Around the Globe

Airlines are expanding their global networks beyond Asia. With new routes that enhance connectivity across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.

Etihad Airways: Starting in 2025, Etihad Airways will launch ten new destinations. Including Algiers, Atlanta, Tunis, Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein, as part of its ongoing expansion program.

Flynas: As of 4 September 2024, Flynas introduced direct flights from Jeddah to Berlin. Connecting Saudi Arabia to the German capital with three weekly services.

Royal Jordanian Airlines: In March 2025, Royal Jordanian Airlines will begin direct flights from Amman to Washington D.C. Marking its fourth direct U.S. service after New York, Chicago, and Detroit.

Turkish Airlines: Starting 28 November 2024, Turkish Airlines will launch four weekly flights from Istanbul to Sydney, with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. This move strengthens its presence in Australia and sets the stage for future nonstop service.

United Airlines: United Airlines made history in October 2024 with its Newark-Marrakech route. Linking the Moroccan city to the U.S. for the first time.

Wizz Air: Wizz Air will introduce a new daily route between London and Jeddah starting 31 March 2025. Offering an ultra-low-cost option for travelers between these cities.

American Airlines & Delta Air Lines: Both American and Delta Air Lines added new Caribbean routes in November 2024. American now flies from New York JFK to Barbados. While Delta launched service from Atlanta to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

JetBlue Airways: JetBlue Airways introduced a new flight to the Caribbean. Flying to Bonaire from New York JFK, starting 5 November 2024.

The Journey Continues

The expanding airline routes in 2024 and beyond, highlight the increasing demand for international travel, offering more convenience and choice. Whether you are planning a trip to the Maldives, connecting through key Asian hubs, or flying to destinations in Europe and Australia. These new routes offer more opportunities to explore the world.

Which new airline routes are you most excited to try in 2024? With so many options, now is the perfect time to start planning your next adventure.

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.

New Airline Routes to Watch in 2024 Across Asia and Beyond

Expanding Routes Across Asia

New Routes Around the Globe

The Journey Continues

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