18 Jul 2025
#3 July 2025: Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter
Abelo to Acquire Three ATR 72-600s Leased to Braathens
Abelo has announced the acquisition of three ATR 72-600 aircraft (vintage 2015/2016) from Bramora Ltd. These aircraft are currently on lease to Sweden’s Braathens Regional Airways, a new operator on the Abelo platform. Braathens now operates as a white-label ACMI provider, flying on behalf of major carriers like SAS and Austrian Airlines.
Stephen Gorman, CEO of Abelo, said, “We are delighted to welcome Braathens Regional Airways as a new operator to our platform. These aircraft represent a strong addition to our portfolio and reinforce our commitment to supporting high-quality regional operators across Europe.”
ABL Aviation Delivers Airbus A321neo to Pegasus Airlines
ABL Aviation announced the delivery of an Airbus A321-251NX aircraft (MSN 12468) powered by CFM LEAP-1A32 engines to Pegasus Airlines. The aircraft is fitted with new-generation engines (RCL59D136 and 1RCL59D139) to deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This deal further solidifies the ongoing relationship between ABL and Pegasus, aligning with the Turkish low-cost carrier’s drive to modernise its fleet for sustainability and operational efficiency.
Ali Ben Lmadani, CEO of ABL Aviation, said, “As demand for efficient, environmentally conscious air travel continues to grow, ABL Aviation remains focused on delivering the latest generation of aircraft that support our partners’ operational and sustainability objectives.”
Stratos Delivers Two A320ceos to Turkish Airlines
Stratos has successfully delivered two Airbus A320ceo aircraft to Turkish Airlines on long-term operating lease. The deliveries aim to bolster Turkish Airlines’ global network expansion, offering increased operational flexibility amid rising passenger volumes. The continuation of this partnership reflects mutual confidence in long-term cooperation.
Camille Pousseur, EVP Airline Marketing at Stratos, said, “These additional A320ceos reflect the ongoing trust between our organizations, and we are excited to play a role in their continued growth and success.”
World Star Aviation Launches Renew Star Platform for XMAL
World Star Aviation played a strategic role in the acquisition of four Airbus A319 aircraft leased to easyJet by Xiamen Aircraft Leasing (XMAL), marking the launch of XMAL’s new Irish leasing platform, Renew Star. This move marks XMAL’s formal entry into the international leasing market, positioning Ireland as a hub for its future expansion.
Garreth Slevin, Partner at World Star Aviation, commented, “The establishment of the Irish platform will open new avenues for growth and collaboration in the international aircraft leasing market. We are proud to support XMAL’s journey.”
Acumen’s Take
On Abelo’s Addition of Braathens-Operated ATRs
This acquisition strengthens Abelo’s portfolio of regional aircraft while tapping into the surging ACMI market in Europe. By onboarding Braathens — a carrier now operating under a white-label ACMI model — Abelo is aligning itself with evolving leasing dynamics where flexible operations and regional support are becoming key value drivers. It also reflects how lessors are increasingly backing operators serving secondary routes for legacy carriers, adding depth and adaptability to their asset base.
On ABL’s A321neo Delivery to Pegasus
This delivery underscores the steady demand for new-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft across emerging markets. As Pegasus pursues an aggressive low-cost, high-efficiency model, ABL’s ability to offer tailored, sustainable aircraft solutions is a competitive strength. Deliveries like this not only support airline decarbonisation efforts but also highlight the growing relevance of environmental KPIs in lease transactions.
On Stratos’ Continued Engagement with Turkish Airlines
The repeat lease of A320ceos reflects the enduring importance of mid-life narrowbody assets in supporting airline capacity while new aircraft deliveries remain constrained. For Turkish Airlines, it ensures agility and route flexibility amid growing demand. For Stratos, this strengthens its positioning as a trusted partner capable of offering fleet reliability and continuity in global growth markets.
On World Star’s Role in Launching XMAL’s Renew Star
This is a notable strategic leap — not just for XMAL but also for Ireland’s leasing ecosystem. The launch of Renew Star cements Ireland’s status as a global aircraft leasing hub, now attracting entrants from Asia looking to scale globally. World Star’s involvement further illustrates how Irish firms are playing a pivotal role in facilitating cross-border capital, aircraft placements, and jurisdictional launches that will define the next phase of leasing diversification.
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