Sky information: Eva Air, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, ANA, Emirates, Thaï Airways, American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, SKY Airline, etc.

Cathay Pacific Airways announced it will increase fuel surcharges on most routes starting March 18. The Hong Kong-based flag carrier said the price of jet fuel has “approximately doubled” due to the Iran-Contra affair, which began on February 28. For short-haul flights, the fuel surcharge will increase to HK$290 (US$37), up from HK$142 previously.

EVA Air will launch its updated premium economy class on March 29 on flights between Taipei and San Francisco, operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, the airline announced. The new cabin features 28 seats in a two-three-two configuration and is currently available on the Taipei-Dallas route. EVA Air will also introduce this cabin on a third US route, between Taipei and Washington Dulles, on June 26, according to the airline.

Air Seychelles has announced the launch of three weekly direct flights between Seychelles and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, starting March 20, 2026, for an initial period of one month. The launch of this new route comes as airspace closures in the Middle East are disrupting traditional transit routes via Gulf hubs, making direct connections particularly important. Initially, the airline will operate three flights per week, with the possibility of increasing the frequency to four weekly flights, depending on demand and operational needs. The service will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, under an agreement with Etihad Airways. This long-haul aircraft offers greater capacity than the airline’s current fleet of single-aisle aircraft and will allow for a direct flight between Seychelles and Paris.

Alaska Airlines has appointed three executives to new regional leadership positions, created to support the airline’s international growth, the airline announced. Cees Verkerk, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of airport services, has been appointed managing director for the UK and Europe, according to the airline. He will be based in London and has been with Alaska Airlines for 10 years. Soojin Yu will serve as regional managing director for Asia, based in Seoul, and will oversee the performance of all routes in Asia. She has been with Hawaiian Airlines since 2016 as country director for South Korea, according to Alaska Airlines. Previously, Ms. Yu was head of marketing and communications at Air France-KLM. Andrew Stanbury, Alaska Airlines’ regional director for the South Pacific, will serve as regional managing director for the South Pacific. He joined Hawaiian Airlines in 2019, where he previously served as director of international and North American sales. Mr. Stanbury also held senior commercial positions at Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand.

THAI Airways announces the addition of a flight to temporarily bolster its capacity between Asia and Europe.

South American airline SKY Airline announces the opening of sales to travel professionals in France and the launch of its sales representation in the French market by Aviareps. Founded over 25 years ago in Chile and voted South America’s best low-cost airline seven times by Skytrax since 2014, SKY Airline is now the second-largest Chilean airline. The airline operates the most modern fleet in South America, consisting of 36 Airbus A320 NEO and A321 NEO aircraft, and serves more than 48 destinations in eight countries with strategic hubs in Lima, Peru, and Santiago, Chile.

American Airlines will begin construction later this year on a new Admirals Club lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, the airline announced. The new lounge, spanning more than 1,100 square meters, will be located on the west side of the terminal, doubling its current size at the airport. It will also include an outdoor terrace, « a first for American Airlines’ lounge network, » according to the airline. The airline’s existing lounge in Austin will remain open during construction. In addition, passengers on select American Airlines flights can now enjoy a new way to enhance their in-flight dining experience through the airline’s partnership with Smash Kitchen, the fast-growing healthy food brand known for its bold flavors and authentic ingredients.

Air Canada announced the entry into service of the first of its modernized Boeing 737 MAX 8s at