Qantas has been awarded an additional 97 seats to operate a fifth weekly frequency between Brisbane and Honiara from 29 March despite opposition from Solomon Airlines. Australia's International Air Services Commission issued a determination on 13 March that awards the capacity for five years, with the service to be operated using Embraer 190s wet-leased Alliance Airlines. Qantas's application, which was filed on 23 January, drew only one response during the public comment period from Solomon Airlines which objected, citing that traffic on the route has been in decline in recent years, and the added competition threatened the viability of the route. "While the Commission acknowledges the concerns raised by Solomon Airlines regarding commercial impacts, the Commission considers that these primarily relate to the effect of increased competition on Solomon Airlines’ own commercial operations, rather than any demonstrable detriment to Australian public benefit," the determination states. Qantas's additional frequency will operate on Tuesdays when neither airline operates on the route, which the Commission says "consumers are likely to benefit from increased frequency and choice, and competitive pricing as a result of the additional capacity on the route". Solomon Airlines flies thrice-weekly services between Brisbane and Honiara using Airbus A320s, plus a weekly service to Munda, Cirium schedules data show.

Flight cancellations on 17 March reduced to just under 27% after a drone attack on fuel facilities near Dubai International airport a day earlier temporarily shut the airport. Flight tracking data indicates that on Tuesday there were only 721 flights cancelled out of the 2,674 scheduled, which was a slight improvement from the 34% cancellation rate the day prior. Yet, schedules data from the year prior show that the level of operations in the region remains at a relative trickle as several carriers extend their flight cancellations to the Middle East, while the key super connectors Emirates and Qatar Airways are not operating a commercial schedule.

That is as several news outlets report that air defenses in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have continued to intercept Iranian drones and missiles.

The Government of Dubai Media Office confirms on 18 March that " sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defense interception operations".

Despite the short-term challenges, analysis of schedules data indicates that over the last week of schedule filings, the net number of flights to be operated during the April-October period, largely covering the northern summer season, has increased by 20,497, generating nearly 2.5 million additional seats. Those are subject to change, but for now the indications are that despite the disruption to Middle Eastern airspace, spiking fuel prices and potential shifts in consumer sentiment, airlines are still planning for a strong peak travel season.

US ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines is reviewing its full-year guidance amid a spike in fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. "An update will be provided in conjunction with the release of first quarter 2026 results," Frontier says in a 17 March filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The Denver-based carrier notes jet fuel prices have "increased significantly" since it last issued guidance. Prices are now expected to average approximately $3 per gallon for the first quarter of 2026 based on the jet fuel curve as of 13 March, compared to the $2.50 per gallon price that underpinned its prior guidance, noting that that will drive approximately $45 to $50 million incremental fuel expense in the first quarter of 2026. "Frontier's fuel efficiency advantage of over 40% compared to the major US carriers is expected to better position the company to mitigate the impact of elevated fuel prices, should the higher fuel prices persist," it says. At the ISTAT Americas conference in San Diego on 9 March, Frontier's president and chief executive James Dempsey said its A321neo fleet "will be very helpful in today's environment" given that oil prices had been "spiking over the last four or five days, quite considerably". Frontier says in the 17 March filing that it now expects first quarter 2026 adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted loss per share of between $0.32 and $0.44, which is within its prior guidance range. This, it adds, is driven by significantly higher revenue performance during the quarter, albeit offset by the recent spike in jet fuel prices and operational disruptions arising from storms on 15 and 16 March, "with lingering impacts expected in order to restore normal operations". Its underlying expectations regarding first quarter 2026 expected tax expense of $3 million to $5 million and approximately 229 million of weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis remain unchanged from its prior guidance. It says "strong travel demand, moderating competitive capacity, and continued progression" of its revenue management initiatives are "driving meaningfully higher unit revenues". It now expects adjusted RASM to increase by mid-teens on a percentage basis over the corresponding prior year quarter, higher than prior guidance, and adds that strong demand and fare trends are extending into the spring booking season, "supporting meaningful expected revenue growth relative to the corresponding prior year period." Frontier expects total liquidity at the end of March 2026 to be over $900 million, an increase from $874 million reported at the end of December 2025.