Air New Zealand is set to launch its most significant long-haul network expansion in years, adding over 34,000 seats to North America and increasing premium seat availability by 20,500 across its global routes from October 2025 to March 2026.

More Flights, More Comfort: North America in Focus
The airline will operate 8% more seats to North America than last year, with premium seating on these routes growing by 15%. Key gateways – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and Vancouver  will see increased capacity and frequency from Auckland Airport.

• Auckland–Los Angeles (AKL–LAX): Up to 12 weekly flights, 24,000 extra seats (+16%), including 6,800 more premium seats.

• Auckland–Houston (AKL–IAH): Returns with 4,500 additional seats between January and March.

• Auckland–Vancouver (AKL–YVR): Up to seven weekly flights, Boeing 777-300ER on peak routes, 25% more premium seats.

• Auckland–San Francisco (AKL–SFO): Daily flights through mid-February, then six per week in March, with 1,800 more seats and a 21% jump in premium offerings.

Premium Experience Gets a Lift To meet rising demand for comfort, Air New Zealand will introduce up to seven newly retrofitted Boeing 787 Dreamliners by year-end, featuring upgraded interiors and enhanced passenger amenities. The move comes as international travel rebounds and premium cabins see strong demand.

Asia Network Also Expands
The airline is also boosting premium capacity on major Asian routes:

• Auckland–Taipei (AKL–TPE): Four weekly flights (up from three), 11,800 more seats (+27%).
• Auckland–Bali (AKL–DPS): 49% increase in premium seats.
• Auckland–Hong Kong (AKL–HKG): 3,700 more premium seats (+28%).
• Auckland–Shanghai (KL–PVG): 35% increase in premium seating.

Strategic Response to Strong Demand
Jeremy O’Brien, Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted that both business and leisure travel demand remain robust. “We’re responding with more premium seats and upgraded Dreamliners to deliver a superior travel experience on our most popular routes,” he said.

The refreshed Dreamliners will debut progressively across the network, with a focus on improved comfort and service, particularly in Business Premier and Premium Economy cabins.

Air New Zealand’s expansion underscores its commitment to premium travel and positions the airline to capture growing international demand through 2026.

Qatar Airways has announced the temporary suspension of its flights to several destinations across Iran, Iraq, and Syria due to the evolving situation in the region.

In Iran, the affected airports include:

• Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)

• Mashhad International Airport (MHD)

• Shiraz International Airport (SYZ)

In Iraq, flight operations are suspended to:

• Baghdad International Airport (BGW)

• Erbil International Airport (EBL)

• Basra International Airport (BSR)

• Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU)

• Najaf International Airport (NJF)

In Syria, flights to Damascus International Airport (DAM) will remain cancelled until the end of Saturday, 14 June.

Qatar Airways has urged passengers to check the latest status of their flights on the airline’s official website: www.qatarairways.com.

The airline emphasized that it adheres strictly to international aviation safety protocols and assured that passenger safety remains its top priority.

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff en route to London Gatwick Airport. The crash, which occurred in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulted in at least 240 fatalities, including passengers, crew, and reportedly some individuals on the ground.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where images showed towering plumes of black smoke and burning wreckage as rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors.

Remarkably, there was one reported survivor: 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. According to officials and hospital sources, Ramesh had been seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the burning aircraft by jumping out after the crash. He was found disoriented and with multiple injuries but is reportedly out of danger and receiving treatment at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh described the chaos: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital,” he told the Hindustan Times.

The doomed flight was carrying a diverse group of passengers: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control less than a minute after takeoff, plummeting into a residential area and reportedly striking the dining hall of a medical college hostel, which may have contributed to the high death toll.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow and assured that all possible support was being provided to the victims and their families.

As investigations continue, Air India and government officials have pledged full support for affected families, while the airline’s CEO confirmed that a special team is on the ground to assist with relief efforts. The crash has shocked the nation and the international community, with many awaiting further details as authorities sift through the wreckage in search of answers.

Aviation experts and investigators are piecing together the possible causes behind the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, resulting in over 200 fatalities and marking the worst aviation disaster in a decade.

The aircraft, carrying 242 people—including 230 passengers and 12 crew—crashed at an altitude of just 625 feet, with video footage and eyewitness accounts indicating that the plane struggled to gain altitude, failed to achieve sufficient lift, and descended rapidly before exploding on impact.

Initial analysis by commercial pilots and aviation analysts has highlighted several anomalies observed in the moments leading up to the crash. Notably, the plane’s landing gear remained down longer than usual after takeoff, and the wing flaps did not appear to be set in the correct position for takeoff, both of which are critical for generating the necessary lift at low speeds.

Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein noted that without proper flap deployment, the aircraft would not have been able to climb effectively, potentially explaining the rapid loss of altitude. He also speculated that a hydraulic issue could have prevented the landing gear from retracting, though he emphasized that these are early observations based on limited video evidence.

The cockpit crew issued a Mayday distress call shortly after departure, indicating severe trouble almost immediately after becoming airborne. Experts believe the pilots may have been attempting to pull the aircraft’s nose up to regain lift, but with insufficient engine thrust and possibly compromised aerodynamic configuration, the plane continued to lose altitude.

The maximum speed achieved was reported to be just 174 knots—well below what would be expected—suggesting the engines were not delivering adequate power.

While the exact cause remains undetermined, several possible scenarios are under consideration. These include a major technical failure such as engine malfunction or fuel starvation, multiple bird strikes, or a critical hydraulic issue affecting the landing gear and flaps. Some analysts have also raised the possibility of a double engine failure, which, while rare, could explain the rapid loss of lift and descent.

Despite speculation, experts stress that only data from the aircraft’s black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—will provide definitive answers, as they contain vital information on the aircraft’s configuration, engine performance, and cockpit communications in the final moments.

Authorities, including India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and international agencies, are prioritizing the recovery and analysis of these recorders, with preliminary findings expected in the coming days.

In the meantime, the aviation community and the public await clarity on what led to this unprecedented tragedy involving a model with an otherwise impeccable safety record

Türkiye's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines (THY), achieved a historic milestone by operating 1,369 flights in a single day on June 9, marking its highest daily flight count ever, CEO Bilal Ekşi announced on social media platform X.

This record-breaking performance coincided with the last day of Qurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha), a significant holiday in Türkiye. Ekşi highlighted the rapid growth of the airline, noting that the previous record of 1,292 flights was set only four days earlier, on the eve of Eid al-Adha. He remarked, "Türkiye is growing, THY is flying high," underscoring the airline's expanding operations.

Turkish Airlines had earlier set records with 1,284 flights on July 2, 2023, and 1,292 flights on June 5, 2025, demonstrating consistent growth in its daily flight capacity.

The airline operates a fleet of 484 aircraft and serves over 300 destinations worldwide, maintaining its status as Türkiye’s most valuable brand in 2025, according to Brand Finance.

Founded in 1933 and owned by the Türkiye Wealth Fund, Turkish Airlines continues to strengthen its global connectivity, operating flights across 131 countries with a fleet of 477 aircraft, making it one of the world's most globally connected carriers.

This new record reflects Turkish Airlines' ongoing expansion and its critical role in connecting Türkiye to the world.

New Zealand has introduced the Parent Boost Visa, a new long-term visitor visa aimed at uniting families and enhancing the country’s appeal to highly skilled migrants. Applications for this visa will open on September 29, 2025.

The Parent Boost Visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in the country for up to five years with multiple entries. Applicants may apply for a second visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

This visa supports long-term family connections without placing additional strain on public services. It is not a pathway to residence but offers families a meaningful way to spend extended time together.

The visa fee is NZD 3,000 (approximately USD 1,815) for most applicants, and NZD 2,450 for those eligible under the Pacific fee band. Additionally, applicants must pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of NZD 100. After three years, there is an additional health check processing fee of NZD 325 (or NZD 240 for Pacific fee band applicants).

To qualify, applicants must meet financial criteria including:

• The sponsor earning at least the New Zealand median wage (or 1.5 times the median wage for joint sponsors) for one parent, with incremental increases for additional parents sponsored; or
• The parent(s) having a personal income equivalent to New Zealand Superannuation (currently NZD 32,611.28 gross per annum for a single parent, NZD 49,552.88 for a couple); or
• The parent(s) having sufficient personal funds: NZD 160,000 for a single applicant or NZD 250,000 for a couple.
• Applicants are required to hold at least one year of health insurance covering emergency medical care (minimum NZD 250,000 annually), repatriation, return of remains, and cancer treatment (minimum NZD 100,000). Valid health insurance must be maintained throughout their stay. Two health assessments are required: one during the application process and another in the third year of the visa, conducted outside New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government emphasizes that this visa is part of a broader strategy to retain skilled migrants by addressing family needs, making the country more attractive to global talent while maintaining a sustainable immigration system. The Parent Boost Visa does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency; applicants seeking residence must apply through existing visa options.

There is no annual cap on the number of Parent Boost Visas issued, with a full review of the scheme planned for 2027. This new visa is expected to benefit thousands of migrant families by enabling extended family reunification and supporting New Zealand’s skilled migrant workforce.