More Than 50 New Air Routes in October and the First Direct US Flight to Riyadh

Global airlines are beginning to operate a wave of new routes during October as part of the winter schedule, launching over 50 new routes in the coming weeks. Leading the way is American carrier Delta's direct flight between Atlanta and Riyadh on October 23, marking the first direct flight by a US airline to the Saudi capital.

As part of the same wave, British Airways is returning to Colombo via London Gatwick Airport on the same day after an 11-year absence, while Lufthansa returns to Kuala Lumpur on October 25 following an interruption, signaling that airlines are reorganizing their networks in preparation for the winter season.

Finland's Finnair is launching flights between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok, while Air Canada plans to operate flights from Toronto and Montreal to Tenerife South, which will be the only direct flights between North America and the Canary Islands, reflecting a race among carriers for destinations that were not previously served directly.

Observers believe that airlines' expansion into winter routes is reshaping the air connectivity map following a season characterized by fluctuating demand, as regional and global carriers compete for a share of the region's growing travel market, while Gulf cities rely on new routes to boost inbound tourism from Europe and America.

What do these terms mean?

Direct route: A flight connecting two cities without stopping at an intermediate station, reducing travel time. Winter season: The period during which airlines rearrange their annual schedules, typically starting in late October and running through March. Seat capacity: The total number of seats offered for sale on a specific route or flight.