Routes Asia 2026 has announced the finalists for its Airline Award, which recognizes excellence in route development and strategic airline partnerships. The award emphasizes the importance of collaboration between airlines and airports in driving air service growth within the Asia-Pacific region.
The upcoming awards ceremony, scheduled for April 15 in Xi'an, China, will feature notable carriers including Cathay Pacific Airways, IndiGo, Jetstar Airways, and Qantas. Each airline has demonstrated substantial network expansion in 2025, with Cathay Pacific launching new routes and increasing frequency to markets like Urumqi and Munich, supported by its significant investment in fleet renewal and innovation.
IndiGo has shown rapid growth, operating over 2,200 daily flights across 140 destinations and supporting new partnerships across Asia, with a long-term fleet order supporting its regional ambitions. Jetstar Airways expanded its Asia-Pacific operations with over 30 new routes, utilizing newer aircraft models like the Airbus A321LR and A320neo to enable longer narrow-body flights between Australia, New Zealand, and Asian destinations.
Qantas continued its post-pandemic recovery by adding numerous domestic and international routes, increasing capacity to the Southwest Pacific by more than double since COVID-19 restrictions eased. The award highlights how these initiatives contribute to regional connectivity and aviation industry resilience, setting clear pathways for future growth.
