Stay up to date with the latest in the travel and hospitality industry, from airline launches and route expansions to new trends and transportation developments shaping the way we explore the world.

This is the August 2025 edition of Airline and Travel News.

FIREFLY SHIFTS JET OPERATIONS FROM SUBANG TO KLIA

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) recently announced the relocation of its regional airline Firefly’s jet operations from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB), the capital’s downtown airport (Subang), to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KUL) Terminal 1, effective August 19, 2025.

Firefly will continue to operate its turboprop services from Subang, ensuring ongoing connectivity to key regional destinations.

Malaysia Airlines parent MAG says the move is part of its long-term network optimisation plan to enhance operational efficiency and ensure sustainable operations for Firefly’s jet services. Relocating to KUL allows greater scalability for jet operations and reflects MAG’s intent to strengthen network connectivity across the group, MAG adds.

Firefly will commence its Boeing 737-800 jet services from KUL beginning August 19, 2025 with its first flight to Tawau (TWU), followed by a phased rollout to key domestic and regional destinations.

Flights to Kuching (KCH) and Kota Kinabalu (BKI) will commence on August 21; Singapore (SIN) on August 22; Johor Bahru (JHB) on August 23; Kota Bharu (KBR) and Terengganu (TGG) on August 30; and Sibu (SBW) on September 3.

The airline will also increase its existing services from KUL to Penang from two times weekly to six times weekly beginning August 23, 2025, before increasing to 10 times weekly in November 2025.

The routes will be operated by Firefly’s single-class Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Travellers may enjoy complimentary 10kg checked baggage, a 7kg carry-on allowance, and in-flight refreshments.

To learn more, visit fireflyz.com.my.

PARK HYATT OPENS IN KUALA LUMPUR’S MERDEKA 118

Hyatt recently announced the opening of Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, marking the luxury brand’s entry into Malaysia. (Feature photo shows the hotel’s reception area.) Located between levels 75 and 114 of the iconic Merdeka 118 – the tallest skyscraper in Asia Pacific, the hotel promises to provide discerning travellers a refined home in the sky with unparalleled views of the Malaysian capital’s skyline.

Each of the 252 guestrooms and suites has floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the city, with the suites featuring expansive living areas, a full bath with a separate rain shower and aromatherapy shower steamer, double vanity, a walk-in dressing room, personal study area, and in select rooms, private dining spaces overlooking the cityscape.

“We are proud to be part of the new Merdeka 118 precinct, with its rich, historical significance and its proximity to the vibrant Petaling Street Chinatown,” said Herman Kemp, general manager of Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. “From locally inspired art and design to purposeful wellness and elevated culinary concepts rooted in Malaysian culture, our guests will discover enriching experiences from this unique vantage point and through the Park Hyatt brand’s distinctive take on understated luxury.”

For curated culinary experiences, guests may choose between three venues – Merdeka Grill, Cacao Mixology & Chocolate, and Park Lounge.

Merdeka Grill reimagines a modern grill experience with premium cuts, sustainable seafood, and locally sourced produce, complete with a curated beverage programme.

Park Lounge invites guests to rediscover heritage flavours through all-day dining, including Malaysian traditional signature dishes such as Botok Ikan and Gulai Taucu Minang, or afternoon tea experiences.

Meanwhile, Cacao Mixology & Chocolate — the city’s first chocolate-themed bar — celebrates the richness of cacao with chocolate themed cocktails, small batch distilleries spirits and zero proof specialities.

Located on the 99th floor, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur has a light-filled yoga movement studio, a state-of-the-art fitness centre featuring the Integrity+ Series premium cardio equipment from Life Fitness, private treatment suites with ensuite dressing rooms, and a 30-metre infinity pool overlooking the city.

Discover more at hyatt.com.

MIAT MONGOLIAN AIRLINES TO LAUNCH SINGAPORE ROUTE

Beginning November 4, 2025, MIAT Mongolian Airlines will be flying twice weekly between Singapore and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, making it easier for travellers to explore the city and the natural beauty of Mongolia. The new service will be the only nonstop passenger link between the Mongolian capital and Singapore.

MIAT will deploy its two-class widebody Boeing 767-300ER aircraft between its Ulaanbaatar base and Singapore’s Changi Airport. These aircraft feature 15 angled-flat business class seats in a 2-1-2 configuration, as well as 237 economy class seats in a 2-3-2 configuration.

MIAT has just a single Boeing 767-300ER remaining in its fleet after taking delivery of two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which currently fly to destinations including Frankfurt and Istanbul.

The flag carrier also has four smaller Boeing 737 aircraft, with more 737 Max jets on order, which predominantly operate on shorter regional flights including to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok.

In the future, MIAT plans to launch long-haul service to Australia and the U.S. West Coast with its 787-9 Dreamliners.

For details, visit miat.com.

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES TO INCREASE SEATTLE SERVICE

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will increase services between Manila and Seattle to five weekly flights from the current thrice-weekly service starting November 25.

Coming one year after the inaugural launch in October 2024, the nonstop route offers the only direct air link between the Philippines and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

PAL will introduce new Tuesday and Thursday departures from Manila and Seattle from November 25, for an overall five times weekly service operating each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. These flights offer connections to numerous U.S. destinations via Alaska Airlines, PAL’s frequent flyer partner.

PAL operates the Seattle services with Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft that accommodate 370 passengers, with 42 seats in 2-3-2 business class and 328 in 3-4-3 economy class.

With Seattle, PAL now serves eight destinations in the U.S. and Canada, offering nonstop flights to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, Honolulu, and Guam.

“Our decision to increase frequencies to Seattle highlights the importance of the U.S. market to the Philippine Airlines global network, and in particular the great value of Seattle as a gateway, not just to the Washington and Oregon areas, but to cities across the United States that we can now serve through our ongoing partnership with Alaska Airlines,” said PAL president, Richard Nuttall.

Learn more at philippineairlines.com.

BATIK AIR MARKS FIRST INTERNATIONAL ROUTE FROM SUBANG WITH BANGKOK SERVICE

Batik Air has launched a milestone non-stop service linking Subang’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) with Bangkok, Thailand, marking the airport’s first-ever international route. The inaugural Subang–Bangkok flight on July 28, 2025, strengthens regional connectivity and underscores plans to position SZB as a key travel hub for the Klang Valley.

The new route, operated by a Boeing 737, connects SZB with Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) under flight number OD533. It represents a significant step in expanding Malaysia–Thailand travel links while offering passengers greater convenience by bypassing Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Batik Air also launched direct Subang–Kuching flights the same day, enhancing access to East Malaysia. Together, the new services expand the airline’s footprint from Subang and give travellers more choice for both regional and domestic journeys.

“With these new routes, we are not only deepening our presence in Subang but also bringing travellers closer to the destinations they love – whether it’s exploring Bangkok’s vibrant streets or experiencing Kuching’s rich cultural charm,” said Batik Air CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy.

For information and booking, visit batikair.com.my.

ISTANBUL AIRPORT BREAKS ONE-DAY PASSENGER RECORD IN EUROPE

Türkiye’s Istanbul Airport (IST), one of two airports in the city, has announced it has overtaken London Heathrow as the European airport to handle the most passengers on one given day.

The airport recorded 134,893 arrivals and 137,239 departures on July 27, 2025 (a total of 272,132), topping Heathrow’s 268,000 figure recorded on June 30, 2024.

It says the achievement underscores its “growing significance in global aviation”, which is backed by its official title of “the world’s most connected airport” as recognized in the ACI Europe 2025 Airport Industry Connectivity Report.

Travel data provider OAG also recently named Istanbul Airport as the busiest airport in Europe, with Heathrow ranked second. Its rankings are based on the number of available seats, determined by the frequency of international and domestic flights.

The airport began operating three runways in April this year, which enables it to accommodate 148 aircraft movements an hour (up from 120 before the launch of the third runway). It currently offers connections to over 330 destinations worldwide, while Reuters reported in March that Heathrow serves 230 destinations.

New routes to the Turkish hub include Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways’ service from Tokyo, Air Europa’s service from Madrid, and most recently, KM Malta Airlines’ flights between the city and Malta. Icelandair is also set to begin a service from Reykjavik to Istanbul in September.

The airport is undergoing a four-phase construction project, due to be completed in 2028, as part of a strategic effort to drive growth and become the largest airport in Europe.

Learn more by visiting istairport.com.