OAG data shows a total of 1,323 new routes starting in Summer 2026 - 614 domestic and 709 international - spread across every major region of the world. But which regions and airlines are driving the most route growth? We’ve taken a look at the data to find out.
Europe leads the way
Europe has the highest level of new route growth this summer, with over 400 new international routes. On a net basis - accounting for routes that operated in Summer 2025 but won't run in Summer 2026 - that figure comes to 220, based on services operating at least 3 times per week, indicating there is a high degree of route churn.
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Within Europe, Italy leads with 53 new routes, followed by Spain (45) and Germany (44).
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The UK, France, Switzerland, Denmark, and Greece are also seeing strong growth, reflecting consumer appetite for both leisure and business travel this summer.
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Around 70% of new European routes are concentrated across 10 Western European countries, reflecting where demand is strongest.
Asia Pacific takes off
Asia Pacific is adding 376 new domestic routes - more than any other region - alongside 170 new international connections. This reflects the continued recovery and growth potential of Asia Pacific's domestic aviation markets, as well as growing international ambition from carriers across the region.
The Americas show strong domestic growth
North America is adding 122 new domestic routes this summer, underlining the resilience of the US and Canadian travel markets. Latin America is also showing strong growth, with 55 new domestic and 52 new international routes - a balanced picture of both inward and outward connectivity growth.
Which airlines are driving growth?
Across Europe's five largest country markets - Italy, Spain, Germany, the UK, and France - Wizz Air is the single biggest contributor to new route launches, adding 82 routes across these markets this summer.
Ryanair and easyJet are also showing significant growth, continuing their strategies of dense European network expansion.
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines continue to add new transatlantic routes into Europe, strengthening the continent's global connectivity.
Wizz Air is adding most new routes across the 5 largest country markets, with 82 additional routes in Summer 2026, but there is a high degree of churn as they dropped 76 routes from Summer 2025. Ryanair is adding 36, but dropped 69 from Summer 2025.
