Edelweiss Air is charting a bold course for Winter 2025 with a sweeping global expansion led by key destinations including Oman, Sri Lanka, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Thailand, Egypt, and Morocco. Backed by the deployment of additional Airbus A350 aircraft, the airline is introducing new non-stop routes, boosting flight frequencies, and enhancing capacity across both long-haul and short-haul markets. From sun-drenched beaches to Arctic adventures, Edelweiss is redefining winter travel with a diverse and dynamic network that caters to cultural explorers, nature lovers, and leisure seekers alike.
Edelweiss Air is revolutionizing its winter and long-haul travel schedule with an expansive rollout of new routes, increased frequencies, and remarkable destination additions across three continents. With the introduction of São Vicente and Praia in Cape Verde, expanded services across Swedish Lapland, and a bolstered fleet that includes a third and fourth Airbus A350, the airline is setting new standards in offering premium travel to both popular and remote destinations.
The northern Swedish city of Luleå is fast emerging as a go-to destination for Arctic adventures. With a breathtaking location on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, Luleå offers experiences that go beyond the conventional Northern Lights sightseeing and dog sledding. Here, travelers can embark on thrilling ice-driving excursions or join dramatic tours aboard icebreaker ships as they cut paths through the frozen sea.
Gammelstad Church Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enriches LuleÃ¥ with historical and cultural significance, while the city’s modern infrastructure positions it as an ideal hub for launching immersive winter journeys across Swedish Lapland. From this northern outpost, travelers can journey toward Kiruna and Abisko, regions renowned as among the world’s finest for aurora sightings, or continue east to explore Finnish Lapland. This unique geographical positioning allows Edelweiss Air travelers to experience both natural beauty and cultural heritage in a single itinerary.
Edelweiss Air has long connected travelers to Cape Verde’s sun-soaked beaches in Sal and Boa Vista. Now, it is opening doors to deeper exploration by launching flights to São Vicente and Praia, expanding its network into the heart of the Cape Verde archipelago.
São Vicente, known for its vibrant culture and colonial charm, serves as a gateway to the mountainous and ecologically rich island of Santo Antão. Thanks to convenient inter-island ferry connections, the area offers a haven for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts eager to discover verdant terrain, rugged mountain trails, and charming local communities. On Santiago Island, the lively capital city of Praia stands as the cultural heartbeat of Cape Verde, rich in heritage and vibrant daily life. With vibrant markets, colonial-era architecture, and direct access to the volcanic island of Fogo, Praia adds a dynamic mix of history, politics, and adventure to Edelweiss’ travel portfolio.
The arrival of two additional Airbus A350 aircraft is driving a major evolution in Edelweiss Air’s long-haul service capabilities. These next-generation aircraft are allowing Edelweiss to add non-stop services to destinations that previously required layovers, enhancing passenger convenience and comfort.
Colombo, Sri Lanka returns to the route map after a three-year hiatus, now served with two non-stop weekly flights. The gateway to Sri Lanka’s cultural and coastal treasures, Colombo is expected to attract a diverse mix of leisure and heritage-seeking travelers.
Oman also sees major gains, with Muscat and Salalah receiving direct connections from September through May. These Arabian destinations combine luxury resorts, desert adventures, and rich traditions for travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary.
The Caribbean network is also being ramped up significantly: Punta Cana will now have three weekly flights, while Puerto Plata and Montego Bay each receive two weekly services starting mid-December. Cape Town in South Africa is upgraded to five weekly flights, Phuket in Thailand rises to four weekly starting January, and all Edelweiss services to the Maldives are now operated non-stop for added convenience.
Edelweiss is expanding its short-haul offerings for winter 2025 with a strategic focus on Mediterranean hotspots and North African gems. The Canary Islands receive robust increases: Gran Canaria and Tenerife now see up to 11 flights per week, while Lanzarote and Fuerteventura rise to four and La Palma to two weekly services, respectively.
Palma de Mallorca sees a boost to six flights a week, while Bilbao will now be served throughout the winter season. Eastern European destinations also benefit, with Pristina reaching 14 weekly frequencies, Skopje growing to four, and Split increasing to three. Larnaca in Cyprus sees capacity ramped up to eight weekly flights, while Tbilisi, Georgia—recently introduced—extends its services into the winter.
Italy’s Sicily (Catania) and Calabria (Lamezia) also feature heavily in the winter program, now served year-round with several flights weekly.
In Morocco, Marrakesh is upgraded to six weekly flights, and Agadir gets two. Egypt, one of the most in-demand winter sun destinations, sees even more expansion: Hurghada gets 13 weekly flights, Marsa Alam four, Sharm El Sheikh two, and Luxor one. Notably, Giza/Cairo Sphinx Airport is now served twice weekly with an itinerary designed for culturally immersive tours to Egypt’s ancient landmarks.
Edelweiss is further enhancing its Arctic and Nordic offerings by adding more flights to remote, high-demand destinations across the region. Evenes/Lofoten in Norway now receives a second weekly flight during the latter half of winter, enhancing access to this remote paradise of fjords and fishing villages.
The Finnish Arctic receives a stronger early-season push, with Rovaniemi and Ivalo seeing their service start as early as December. Other Finnish destinations such as Kittilä and Kuusamo continue on schedule, offering skiers and snow lovers top-notch facilities. Iceland’s Reykjavik remains a staple of the northern program. Edelweiss is also increasing winter services to the UK, with Bristol gaining two weekly connections in February and additional capacity for Edinburgh.
Popular autumn destinations across the Mediterranean and Atlantic will enjoy extended operations into November. This includes sun-drenched locales such as Heraklion (Crete), Kalamata (Greece), Antalya (Turkey), Cagliari (Sardinia), and Ponta Delgada (Azores). These additions cater to travelers seeking warm weather and fewer crowds just beyond the traditional summer season.
Edelweiss Air’s winter and long-haul network expansion stands as one of the airline’s most ambitious programs to date. With a focus on unique destinations, convenient non-stop connections, and cultural depth, Edelweiss is reshaping the leisure travel experience for European and international customers. Whether it’s venturing into Arctic landscapes, discovering Cape Verde’s cultural core, or lounging in the Maldives, travelers now have more choices than ever to explore the world with Edelweiss.
