Despite headwinds from rising fuel costs and capacity cuts across the industry — as highlighted by recent reports on Europe's jet fuel crisis — several carriers are pressing ahead with new routes for the summer season. For travellers planning holidays within the continent and beyond, these additions open up fresh possibilities.
Finnair Expands from Helsinki to 14 New Destinations
Finland's flag carrier has begun rolling out 14 new destinations, spanning Europe, North America and Oceania. In March, Finnair added Stavanger (Norway), Umeå (Sweden), Catania (Italy) and Luxembourg to its network, all accessible via its Helsinki hub through the end of the year. Catania flights will start in October, offering access to Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano.
From April to October, travellers can fly to Florence (Italy), Alta (Norway) and Tirana (Albania). Valencia (Spain) will be served until December. Later in the year, from May, June and October, new routes include Kos (Greece), Turin (Italy), Thessaloniki (Greece), Toronto (Canada), Kuressaare (Estonia) and Melbourne (Australia). Kuressaare, the main town on Saaremaa island, is one of Estonia's lesser-known travel gems. Overall, Finnair now offers 93 destinations across Europe.
British Airways Revives Guernsey and Adds Montenegro
On 19 April, British Airways resumed direct flights from London to Guernsey for the first time in four decades, making it the only carrier operating that route from the UK capital. Guernsey, a self-styled “hidden gem” in the British Isles, is less than an hour from the UK and known for its seafood — lobster, crab, sea bass and oysters — as well as vraic (seaweed), which features in local cuisine, farming and even fashion.
From 14 May, BA will launch three weekly flights to Tivat, Montenegro, a coastal town with public and private beaches such as Ponta Seljanova and Verige, the latter with boat piers. Across the Atlantic, BA has added St. Louis, Missouri, its 27th US destination.
Eurowings Ramps Up Mallorca and Adds Hanover–Glasgow
Through May, German low-cost carrier Eurowings is increasing its Mallorca capacity to 100 flights to Palma de Mallorca, able to carry 36,000 passengers. It will also offer 70 additional connections to the Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Las Palmas, Tenerife), as well as to Faro, Málaga, Naples and Nice, departing from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart.
Starting in June, Eurowings introduces a direct route from Hanover to Glasgow. The Scottish city's June calendar includes the 11th edition of the Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art, featuring emerging and established artists.
easyJet and Wizz Air Open New UK Routes
British carrier easyJet has launched flights from Newcastle to Lisbon and Rome Fiumicino, and from Manchester to Bari. Fares start at £33.99 (€39.23) to £43.99 (€50.77). Summer holiday packages for these destinations begin at £199 (€229.66) per person, including flights, board and 23kg luggage, with deposits as low as £60 per person.
These additions come as the broader industry grapples with Lufthansa Group cutting 20,000 flights due to soaring fuel costs, reshaping European air travel. For now, the new routes offer a silver lining for summer travellers seeking fresh destinations.
