From Poland to Ethiopia, several new transport hubs are set to open over the next decade, promising to reshape international air travel. While airports such as London Heathrow, Istanbul, and Dubai International currently handle millions of passengers annually, a new wave of mega airports is expected to challenge their dominance.

In Poland, Port Polska, previously known as Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), is planned between Warsaw and Łódź and is scheduled to open in 2032. The hub will feature two runways and is expected to accommodate around 40 million passengers each year, making it one of Europe’s largest airports. Plans also include a railway station connecting the airport to Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław via high-speed rail. Construction is set to begin this year, with the British architectural firm Foster + Partners leading the design.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai International Airport, currently the world’s second busiest airport, will gradually transition operations to Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport. The new facility, which currently handles just over a million passengers annually, is set to expand into the world’s busiest airport with five runways and a projected capacity of 150 million passengers per year. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths announced at the Dubai Airshow in 2025 that the transition is expected to be complete by 2032.

Saudi Arabia is also planning an ambitious expansion with King Salman International Airport, which will replace the existing King Fahd International Airport in Riyadh. Covering 780 square kilometres, King Fahd served 12.8 million passengers in 2024, but authorities aim to increase that figure to 120 million by 2030. Once completed, King Salman International Airport will feature six parallel runways and is projected to handle 185 million passengers annually by 2050.

In Africa, Bishoftu International Airport in Ethiopia is under construction about 40 kilometres south of Addis Ababa. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the first phase will allow the airport to manage 60 million passengers each year, with plans to expand to 110 million in the future, making it the continent’s largest airport. High-speed rail links are planned to connect Bishoftu International to Addis Ababa and the existing Bole International Airport.

“These upcoming transport hubs will not only increase passenger capacity but also improve connectivity through integrated rail networks,” said an aviation industry analyst. “They represent a significant shift in how global air travel will operate over the next decade.”

These new airports highlight the rapid growth of international aviation infrastructure in the coming years, with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa positioning themselves as central nodes in the global air transport network. As projects like Port Polska, Dubai World Central, King Salman International, and Bishoftu International come online, travelers can expect larger, faster, and more connected hubs to accommodate increasing passenger demand worldwide.

This marks the second regional train service that is not connected to Baku and operates outside the capital.

Azerbaijan has introduced a new passenger rail route connecting its second-largest city, Ganja, with the mountain resort city of Gabala, improving access to one of the country’s key tourism destinations. Gabala is famed for its ski resorts, natural landscapes, and cultural events, including the Gabala International Music Festival, which draws visitors and artists from around the world.

The new service is operated by the national state-owned rail company, Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), using Stadler trains, a Swiss manufacturer known for modern, high-quality rolling stock. The route spans approximately 139 kilometers, with a one-way travel time of around 1 hour and 50 minutes. ADY said the service will make travel easier for both locals and tourists alike.

Passengers can choose from four classes: Standard, Standard+, Business, and First Class, with fares starting at 4.80 manats (€2.45). The train stops at Goran, Yevlakh, Laki, and Aghdash stations, and offers connectivity with Baku through a transfer at Laki station, allowing daily travel in both directions.

Travelers from the capital can take the Baku–Gazakh train to Laki station, arriving at 10:50 a.m. local time, and continue to Gabala on the new service at 11:12 a.m. The return journey allows passengers to board the Gabala–Laki service at 18:45, connecting to the Gazakh–Baku train at 19:02.

Gabala offers a range of attractions for visitors. Its surrounding mountains, forests, lakes, and waterfalls make it ideal for skiing, hiking, and cable car rides. Year-round activities and cultural events have made Gabala a growing destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Ganja, the country’s second-largest city, is celebrated as the birthplace of the 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi. The city preserves his legacy through museums, monuments, and cultural sites, most notably the Nizami Mausoleum. The new train service enhances accessibility to these historical and cultural landmarks, making it easier for visitors to experience Ganja’s rich heritage.

The launch of the Ganja–Gabala train highlights Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to expand regional rail connectivity outside the capital and support tourism development. Officials expect the service to boost local economies, encourage domestic travel, and provide a convenient, sustainable alternative to road transport for both leisure and business travelers.

Ryanair has revealed plans to cut several routes across Europe in 2026, citing rising airport charges, aviation taxes, and operational costs. The move will reduce roughly three million seats and affect destinations in Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and other countries, with smaller cities expected to feel the greatest impact.

In Germany, Ryanair will eliminate 24 routes during the Winter 2025/2026 schedule, cutting nearly 800,000 seats. Airports affected include Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Memmingen, Frankfurt-Hahn, Dresden, Dortmund, and Leipzig. Operations at Leipzig, Dresden, and Dortmund will remain suspended throughout 2026. The airline attributed the cuts to high air traffic control and security fees, combined with German aviation taxes. Ryanair criticized the government for not following through on promises to reduce these charges, contrasting Germany with countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Poland, where aviation taxes are lower or being removed.

Spain will see a reduction of about 1.2 million seats from the summer 2026 schedule, following cuts of roughly one million seats in winter 2025. Flights to Asturias, Vigo, and Tenerife North will be stopped entirely, while the Santiago de Compostela and Jerez bases will remain closed. The airline said disputes with airport operator Aena over high fees and government regulations on cabin baggage charges were key reasons for the reductions. Ryanair plans to shift capacity to larger Spanish airports and lower-cost destinations in Italy, Croatia, Morocco, Sweden, and Albania.

In France, Ryanair has already cut 750,000 seats across 25 routes, suspending services to Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg. While flights to Bergerac will resume in summer 2026, services to Brive and Strasbourg remain halted. The airline warned additional French regional routes could be impacted next year.

Belgium faces reductions at Brussels and Charleroi, where Ryanair will remove 20 routes and one million seats, accounting for about 22 percent of its Belgian capacity. The airline pointed to a new aviation tax doubling fees to €10 per passenger and potential local taxes at Charleroi as reasons for the cuts.

Portugal will lose all six Ryanair routes to the Azores from the end of March 2026, affecting about 400,000 passengers and reducing national capacity by roughly 22 percent. The airline blamed rising air traffic control fees, the EU Emissions Trading System, and a new €2 travel tax. Ryanair said operational challenges, including airport staff strikes, have also contributed to the decision.

Ryanair is also scaling back flights in Bosnia and Serbia for summer 2026, reducing weekly departures from Banja Luka and Niš to redirect capacity to higher-demand markets such as Croatia.

While the airline continues to expand in other regions, including the UK, Finland, and Italy, the 2026 cuts highlight the financial pressures facing low-cost carriers in markets with high taxes and fees. Ryanair has called on governments to reduce charges to maintain competitiveness and avoid further route reductions.