Europe to Asia: UAE airlines to launch new routes in 2026

LONDON REMAINS A CRITICAL HUB, WITH CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPE ON RADAR

- BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN

Travellers looking to keep holiday costs in check may want to start planning their 2026 trips early, as global travel demand continues to climb and airlines prepare for a busy year ahead.

Global passenger traffic is expected to reach 9.8 billion by the end of 2025, according to Airports Council International (ACI), with Middle East travel demand forecast at 466 million passengers, despite ongoing geopolitical risks.

Demand is already showing strong momentum. In August 2025, Middle Eastern airlines recorded an 8.2 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

UAE airlines are now moving quickly to stay ahead of the expected surge, expanding their route networks and adding capacity to destinations seeing the strongest traveller interest.

London remains a critical hub for European connections and continues ranking among the top search destinations for set-jetting fans pursuing UK literary locations like Yorkshire and the Cotswolds.