Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways win ACCC approval for Asia-Pacific joint venture

Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways won a major boost when Australia's competition regulator issued a draft determination backing their joint venture covering routes between Japan and Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The ACCC approved five years of revenue-sharing coordination on select Australia-Japan flights plus planning and scheduling alignment, with public consultation closing August 7 and a final decision expected in August or September. The airlines can already begin planning discussions under interim authorization, though implementation remains on hold. (via Aviation Week)

Air Astana targets New York nonstop. Kazakhstan's flag carrier filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking exemption authority to launch scheduled and charter services between Almaty and Astana and New York-JFK using Boeing 787 Dreamliners. If approved, the route would mark the first nonstop commercial link between the U.S. and Kazakhstan, with an anticipated 2027 launch pending Kazakhstan's FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment rating upgrade. (via AirlineGeeks)

Condor plans Greek islands and Tahiti expansion. The German carrier will base an additional Airbus A320 at Münster/Osnabrück during summer 2027, launching services from May to Fuerteventura and three Greek islands—Rhodes, Heraklion, and Chania. Separately, Condor will operate a special Tahiti charter in March 2027, departing Frankfurt and routing through Cancún on an Airbus A330-900neo. (via Aviation Week)

Akasa Air brings Jaipur into the network. India's Akasa Air launches daily flights from Jaipur to Mumbai and Bengaluru beginning October 11, 2026, making it the airline's 29th domestic destination and second in Rajasthan. Bookings are open now across the carrier's website and major online travel agencies. (via Travel and Tour World)

Air France and Cyprus Airways codeshare Paris-Larnaca. The carriers launched a codeshare effective July 7 covering the Paris Charles de Gaulle–Larnaca route, operating up to six times weekly during peak season with Cyprus Airways' Airbus A220. The partnership expands to interline coverage of additional routes linking Athens and Milan, connecting Air France's long-haul network through Paris. (via Aviation24.be)

China Southern doubles down on Adelaide-Guangzhou. Starting December 1, 2026, through March 10, 2027, China Southern will increase its Guangzhou–Adelaide route from three times weekly to daily service, adding 1,064 seats per week. The seasonal boost reflects strong Australian-China travel demand during the summer months. (via CAPA Centre for Aviation)

Etihad Airways signed three interline and codeshare pacts across Africa in July to bolster its presence ahead of six new African routes launching in November. On July 22, the Abu Dhabi carrier inked an interline agreement with Air Peace, Nigeria's largest airline, opening 20 destinations across Nigeria, West, and Central Africa to Etihad customers via single ticketing through Lagos. On July 24, Etihad signed an MoU with Ghana-based Africa World Airlines covering codeshare, interline, cargo, and loyalty cooperation, setting the stage for Etihad's new Abu Dhabi–Accra service launching March 24, 2027. (via ZAWYA)

Air India and Saudia deepen Saudi-India ties. The carriers signed an MoU on July 23 in Riyadh to expand their existing codeshare and explore terminal co-location at major hubs. The partnership may eventually extend to their low-cost subsidiaries—Air India Express and flyadeal—and could include loyalty program collaboration. (via Aviation Source News)

Qantas launches cargo at Western Sydney. Qantas Freight commenced operations at Western Sydney International Airport's new 24-hour cargo precinct on July 27, handling 850+ tonnes weekly at a terminal capable of servicing eight widebody aircraft simultaneously. The facility is expected to process 220,000+ tonnes annually, supporting Qantas' domestic freight network ahead of passenger flights launching from the airport in October. (via Qantas)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule ending decades of open-ended stays for international students, effective September 15, 2026. F and J visa holders (academic students and exchange visitors) will now be admitted for the duration of their specific program up to a maximum of four years. Students needing additional time must request an Extension of Stay from USCIS, a process involving biometric collection and background checks. The grace period for F-1 students to depart after program completion was also cut from 60 days to 30 days. The shift moves oversight from educational institutions to federal authorities and applies to individuals already in the U.S., who will automatically transition to the new four-year cap from the effective date. (via Study in the States)

Marriott Bonvoy unveiled "Destination Discovery Guides" in collaboration with acclaimed Chinese author Ma Boyong, rolling out today across Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, and Guangzhou. The guides blend local stories, cultural insights, and curated experiences inside and outside hotels to inspire travelers to see each city freshly. Through October 2026, Marriott Bonvoy members can bid points for exclusive experiences including Ma Boyong's book launch events, meet-and-greet sessions, and hotel stays. Starting October, members also gain access to Ma Boyong's latest audiobook through the Marriott Bonvoy China app or QR codes at participating hotels. (via PR Newswire)