As Malaysia gears up to celebrate its 68th National Day on September 16, AirAsia has issued an important travel advisory to ensure smooth journeys for passengers during the festivities. In preparation for the National Day flypast and its rehearsals, Kuala Lumpur airspace will be temporarily closed on specific dates, affecting flight operations in the capital region.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has announced that the airspace closure will take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on August 26 to 28, and from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM on August 29 and 31. These necessary measures are implemented to prioritize safety for the public and all participating aircraft in the flypast.

Air travellers can expect increased air traffic and potential changes to commercial flight schedules during these periods. To help passengers navigate these disruptions, AirAsia encourages travellers to plan well in advance, check in early, and make use of its user-friendly ‘MOVE’ app for real-time flight updates. The app offers convenient features such as check-in starting 14 days prior up to one hour before departure, visa document uploads, and access to e-boarding passes.

For passengers requiring special assistance, including wheelchair services, pre-booking at least four hours before departure is mandatory. Counter check-in remains available only for travellers with reduced mobility, infants under 24 months, pregnant women, senior citizens, and unaccompanied minors.

To avoid last-minute hassles, AirAsia advises passengers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours ahead of international departures. Baggage tagging at the airport is streamlined via kiosks using QR codes, while cabin baggage allowances remain set at one bag (56 x 36 x 23 cm) plus a laptop or handbag, with a combined weight limit of 7 kg.

Additionally, Malaysian passport holders flying from KLIA Terminal 2 can expedite immigration proceedings by using the ‘MyBorderPass’ app, designed to facilitate faster processing.

As the nation celebrates its milestone, AirAsia and the aviation authorities are working together to keep travellers informed and safe during this significant occasion. Passengers are urged to stay updated and prepare accordingly for a smooth travel experience during the National Day period.

Philippine Airlines is ramping up its service on the Manila to Melbourne route for the upcoming 2025/26 holiday season to meet growing traveler demand. From December 17, 2025, through January 19, 2026, the airline will increase its weekly flights from five to seven, except during the peak period between December 26, 2025, and January 3, 2026, when the regular schedule applies.

The enhanced schedule features daily flights, offering passengers greater flexibility and convenience for their holiday travel plans. Operating on the reliable Airbus A330-300 aircraft, the route maintains high standards of comfort and service.

Flight details include:

• PR209 departing Manila at 5:00 PM, arriving Melbourne at 4:10 AM the next day (aircraft configuration 3-3-3 with 246 seats).
• A second PR209 flight leaves Manila at 9:25 PM, landing in Melbourne at 8:35 AM the following day (246 seats).

Return flights from Melbourne:

• PR210 departs at 5:55 AM, arriving Manila at 11:20 AM (3-3-3 layout with 357 seats).
• The second PR210 flight takes off at 10:20 AM, reaching Manila by 3:35 PM (357 seats).

This seasonal increase underscores Philippine Airlines’ commitment to enhancing connectivity between the Philippines and Australia, supporting both leisure and business travelers during the busy holiday period.

In a landmark achievement for sustainable aviation, Air France’s Airbus A220-300 has successfully completed its inaugural ferry flight from Mirabel Airport (YMX) in Canada to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This historic delivery not only marks a milestone for Air France but also represents the first time Airbus has issued official sustainability credentials for SAF directly to an airline customer, signaling a significant step forward in the industry’s decarbonization journey.

The newly delivered Air France A220-300, christened VAISON-LA-ROMAINE and the airline’s 46th in this fleet, demonstrated remarkable environmental benefits. Over the course of its ferry flight, the use of SAF reduced lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 tonnes compared to traditional fossil fuels. This achievement reflects Airbus’ ability to provide Proof of Sustainability (PoS) through the CORSIA Sustainability Certification Scheme, ensuring verified emission reductions linked to SAF consumption.

For Air France-KLM, one of the world’s largest buyers of sustainable aviation fuel, the integration of SAF at the point of aircraft delivery represents a key transparency enhancement, accelerating SAF adoption across the aviation sector. The airline group stresses that combining new, more efficient aircraft with SAF is central to meeting its decarbonization targets for medium-haul operations.

Since introducing SAF deliveries at its Mirabel manufacturing facility, Airbus has progressively integrated sustainable fuels into A220 production, acceptance tests, and now delivery flights. In 2025 alone, the Mirabel site anticipates saving around 400 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions through the use of approximately 170,000 liters of pure SAF.

This local effort complements Airbus’ worldwide sustainability commitment, where 78% of all aircraft delivered in the first half of the year featured SAF blends. Airbus aims for full SAF compatibility across its entire fleet by 2030. Currently, A220 aircraft are certified to operate with up to 50% SAF blends, showcasing both advanced technical readiness and adherence to evolving regulations.

The sustainable aviation fuel used on this flight is certified to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 85% compared to conventional jet fuel. This reduction is accounted for using a mass balance system that tracks certified SAF volumes alongside regular Jet A-1 fuel, ensuring a transparent and auditable chain of custody. Airbus emphasizes this approach as vital for maintaining operational feasibility while driving greater SAF transparency.

Since introducing its first A220 in 2021 as part of a 60-aircraft order, Air France has leveraged the model’s efficiency to reduce per-seat fuel burn and CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared to older aircraft generations. The A220 family remains a cornerstone in both Airbus’ and Air France’s sustainability strategies, combining advancing aircraft efficiency with the accelerating adoption of sustainable fuels.

As the aviation industry charts its path to a low-carbon future, Air France and Airbus’ collaboration on SAF delivery flights underscores the tangible progress being made toward cleaner skies—one sustainably fueled journey at a time.

Emirates Airline (EK) has taken its First Class experience to new heights by introducing an enhanced caviar service, offering unlimited servings of premium Ossetra caviar on all routes. Reflecting a growing appetite among discerning travelers, Emirates has witnessed a more than 30% increase in caviar consumption year over year, with top routes including Dubai to London, Paris, Sydney, Moscow, and Bangkok emerging as the biggest consumers of the delicacy.

The airline’s commitment to sophistication is embodied in a meticulously crafted caviar ritual, which guarantees the freshest and most elegant presentation from start to finish. Each tin of caviar is chauffeur-delivered to the aircraft, handled with utmost care, and presented onboard by cabin crew dressed impeccably in white gloves.

Passengers are treated to a ceremonial service where a crisp linen tablecloth is laid out, and classic accompaniments such as melba toast, blinis, egg yolk, egg white, chives, white onions, sour cream, and lemon are thoughtfully arranged to enhance the tasting experience.

The caviar itself, served in a striking Emirates-engraved bowl, is a sensory highlight an offering that delights the palate with its delicate briny notes, buttery undertones, and smooth texture. To further elevate the indulgence, Emirates pairs the caviar with Dom Pérignon champagne, whose toasted brioche and almond flavors perfectly complement the caviar’s nutty saltiness while its crisp acidity refreshes the palate.

A thoughtful touch of luxury is the use of mother-of-pearl spoons a subtle but important detail that preserves the purity of flavor by preventing the oxidation that metal spoons can cause.

Sourced from the sustainable Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), the Ossetra caviar served onboard comes from fish native to Siberia’s pristine river systems. This species matures faster than other sturgeon varieties, making it a preferred choice for eco-conscious aquaculture without compromising the rich, clean flavor that caviar connoisseurs cherish.

With over 26,800 premium First Class seats available weekly, Emirates’ operational scale demands precision in every step of the caviar preparation process. From rinsing and lightly salting the roe to pasteurizing, sealing in ring-pull tins, and chilling in Dubai under strict conditions, the airline ensures consistent quality no matter the destination.

By blending tradition, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Emirates continues to redefine luxury air travel dining inviting First Class passengers to savor one of the world’s most exquisite culinary treasures high above the clouds.

IndiGo Airlines (6E), India’s largest low-cost carrier, is preparing for its most ambitious long-haul expansion yet with the phased introduction of new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The airline plans to strengthen and diversify its European network, launching new routes from Mumbai and Delhi to key destinations including London Heathrow and Copenhagen, according to aviation analyst Ravreet Singh.

At the center of this strategy is the establishment of Amsterdam as IndiGo’s core European hub, supported by well-balanced services to Manchester, Copenhagen, and London Heathrow. This approach combines popular high-demand routes with niche destinations, allowing for a versatile and growing network. Each new route launch is carefully synced with the delivery of an additional Dreamliner to maintain capacity balance.

Currently, IndiGo operates one wet-leased Boeing 787-9, flying three times weekly from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam, marking its initial foray into widebody long-haul operations.

With the arrival of a second Dreamliner in September 2025, the airline will increase Mumbai–Amsterdam flights to six times weekly and Mumbai–Manchester to four. The third aircraft, expected in October, will inaugurate three weekly Mumbai–Copenhagen flights and raise Amsterdam service to daily.

A pivotal moment arrives mid-October 2025 with the fourth Dreamliner’s delivery, enabling daily Delhi–London Heathrow flights and thrice-weekly Delhi–Amsterdam services. Meanwhile, Mumbai–Amsterdam frequency will be reduced to four flights per week. By November, a fifth Dreamliner will allow Delhi to add Copenhagen and Manchester at three weekly flights each while boosting Amsterdam to four weekly frequencies.

Looking ahead to January 2026, the sixth Dreamliner will initially serve leisure routes from India to Phuket and Bali, adding seasonal vibrancy before it is redeployed to bolster the European schedule.

IndiGo’s choice of Amsterdam as its main European gateway benefits from its strategic location and robust connectivity through partners such as KLM and Virgin Atlantic, providing passengers with seamless onward travel across Europe and North America. Manchester and Copenhagen are positioned as promising point-to-point destinations, while London Heathrow marks IndiGo’s entry into one of the world’s most competitive and premium aviation markets, challenging established full-service carriers.

Ravreet Singh emphasizes IndiGo’s measured growth approach, aligning fleet expansion with market launches to monitor demand and avoid oversaturating routes. This phased rollout provides flexibility to adjust capacity based on evolving passenger patterns.

By early 2026, IndiGo’s Boeing 787-9 network from Mumbai and Delhi will encompass Amsterdam, Manchester, Copenhagen, and London Heathrow, complemented by seasonal leisure destinations such as Phuket and Bali.

Operational challenges remain, including the efficiency of westbound routes to Europe, which could improve significantly if Pakistan reopens its airspace to Indian carriers by late 2025, reducing detours, flight times, and fuel costs. Regulatory approvals, airport slot allocations, and bilateral agreements are additional factors that IndiGo will navigate carefully during its expansion.

With a strategic, phased rollout of its Dreamliner fleet, IndiGo is set to transform its long-haul operations, offering enhanced connectivity and competing effectively on some of the world’s busiest international routes.

In an exciting development for Filipino travelers and global tourists alike, low-cost carrier AirAsia is set to launch a new flight route connecting Manila to Istanbul, Turkey, with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Starting November 14, the airline will operate this Manila–Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul service four times a week.

This expansion marks a significant step in AirAsia’s continued push to bridge ASEAN with global destinations. Suresh Bangah, president and CEO of AirAsia Philippines, emphasized the strategic importance of the new route, highlighting the carrier’s mission to open access to world-class cities like Istanbul while boosting the Philippines’ appeal as a vibrant tourism hub.

“The launch of this new route to Istanbul underscores our commitment to making world-class destinations more accessible for Filipinos,” Bangah said. He also noted AirAsia’s goal to attract more international visitors to the Philippines through its extensive flight network and seamless Fly-Thru service.

In response to growing demand for air travel, AirAsia is accelerating its fleet expansion, aiming to increase its current 15 aircraft to 19 by the end of 2025, positioning the airline to better serve passengers and explore new destinations.

With this new route, AirAsia continues to reinforce its role as a key player in connecting Southeast Asia to the rest of the world, opening doors to cultural experiences, business opportunities, and enhanced travel convenience for millions.