10 Dec 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 10th December 2025
Acumen Aviation Newsletters
Acumen Aviation’s newsletters offer deep dives into the most impactful trends and developments across the aviation sector. These resources are crafted to keep you informed about critical industry changes and provide actionable insights:
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IrishAero News
Air Astana Adds Irish-Registered Airbus A321neo to Support Fleet Renewal
Air Astana has expanded its fleet with the arrival of a new Airbus A321neo, registered EI-KDJ (msn 12738), delivered directly from Hamburg to the airline’s Almaty hub on 17 October. The aircraft joins the carrier’s growing cohort of next-generation narrowbodies, reinforcing its long-term sustainability and efficiency goals. The airline noted that, despite ongoing industry challenges, it remains committed to a steady fleet renewal programme. Air Astana Group aims to increase its fleet to 84 aircraft by 2029, positioning the addition of the Irish-registered A321neo as a key step in supporting future growth across its regional and international network.
FlyOne Adds Dublin to Its Expanding Bucharest Network for Summer 2026
Moldovan low-cost carrier FlyOne is set to broaden its footprint in Romania with the launch of seven new direct routes from its Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport base for the Summer 2026 season. Among the newly announced destinations is Dublin, joining Barcelona, Frankfurt Main, London Luton, Paris CDG and Madrid. The expansion marks a significant strengthening of FlyOne’s Western European connectivity and positions Dublin as a key addition to its fast-growing network. The airline’s move reflects rising demand for affordable travel options between Romania and major European hubs, with FlyOne continuing to scale its operations through strategic route development.
FlyUs Appointed GSA for Riyadh Air in Ireland
FlyUs Aviation Group has been appointed General Sales Agent (GSA) for Riyadh Air across the United Kingdom and Ireland, effective 26 October 2025. The partnership aligns with Riyadh Air’s launch of its first scheduled daily service into London Heathrow, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (HZ-RXX, msn 38892). As GSA, FlyUs will manage sales, customer support and capacity coordination in both markets, with all bookings handled through its local teams. The appointment strengthens Riyadh Air’s commercial presence as the carrier ramps up its international footprint ahead of wider network growth.
Aircraft Update
N397NC Embraer 190 Ferried to San José
An Embraer 190, registered N397NC (c/n 19000151), was ferried by Nordic Aviation Capital to San José on 7 November 2025. The movement reflects continued fleet repositioning activity within the E-Jet market, where demand for versatile regional aircraft remains steady. The aircraft’s relocation positions it for future placement opportunities as operators look to optimise capacity across short- and medium-haul networks.
TC-NDJ Airbus A320-251N Delivered to AJet
AJet has taken delivery of an Airbus A320-251N, registered TC-NDJ (c/n 7074), following its arrival in Istanbul on 28 November 2025 after operating as VP-CEM. The aircraft joins the carrier’s expanding new-technology fleet, supporting its push for greater efficiency and capacity on key regional routes. Its induction underscores AJet’s continued transition toward more fuel-efficient narrowbody assets.
Global Aviation News
Air Arabia Adds New A321LR Service from Sharjah to London Gatwick
Air Arabia is set to launch a new Airbus A321LR-operated route between Sharjah and London Gatwick in 2026, marking a notable expansion of its long-haul narrowbody network. The airline says the move represents a major step in its growth strategy, strengthening connectivity from Sharjah International Airport while offering added convenience for travellers. The new service is expected to support rising travel demand and deepen trade links between the UAE and the UK as Air Arabia continues to scale its international presence.
Azul Drops Paris Route as Part of Long-Haul Network Reshuffle
Azul Linhas Aéreas will discontinue its São Paulo–Paris service next year, pulling its longest route as the airline rebalances its long-haul strategy. The decision follows schedule filings that removed the planned April 2026 restart and comes amid fresh European growth from competitor LATAM, which recently announced new services to Brussels and Amsterdam. At 5,805 miles, Paris was Azul’s most extensive route, ahead of its São Paulo–Madrid service, and its cancellation signals a tighter focus on markets that better align with the carrier’s evolving network priorities.
BOC Aviation to Lease Two A350-1000s to Philippine Airlines
BOC Aviation has finalised a purchase-and-leaseback deal with Philippine Airlines for two Airbus A350-1000s, marking the lessor’s first delivery of the type and the start of a new customer relationship. The long-term leases will see both Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered aircraft join PAL from December 2025, supporting the carrier’s fleet renewal and long-haul expansion plans. BOC Aviation highlighted that the agreement reflects its strategy of deploying latest-generation aircraft and leveraging its financial scale to back airline growth across global markets.
British Airways Concludes Year-Round Operations in EX-YU After 25 Years
British Airways is ending a long-standing chapter in the former Yugoslav markets, marking December as the first time in 25 years the airline will not operate year-round flights to the region. The carrier’s final seasonal service to Dubrovnik departs today, with operations to Ljubljana and Zagreb set to restart only with the launch of the 2026 summer schedule in March. The pause underscores BA’s broader network adjustments as it continues balancing seasonal demand with global fleet and capacity priorities.
Britten-Norman Islander Selected for Stratospheric 5G Connectivity Trials
Britten-Norman and World Mobile Stratospheric (WMS) are advancing high-altitude connectivity with plans to trial 5G broadcasting from a BN2T-4S Islander operating near the edge of the stratosphere. The project is part of a broader push to deploy High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), aircraft or airships flying 20–25 km above commercial traffic, to bring mobile coverage to remote or disaster-impacted regions. The demonstration moves the long-theorised concept of “connectivity from the sky” closer to commercial reality as aerospace and telecom sectors collaborate on next-generation communication solutions.
Jet2 Says Gatwick Entry Will Drive Better Value for Holidaymakers
Jet2 has emphasised that its arrival at London Gatwick will deliver “better quality and better value” for travellers as increased competition reshapes the leisure market. The airline has secured slots for six aircraft after the airport released additional capacity, expanding Jet2’s national footprint to 14 UK bases. The move is expected to enhance choice for passengers and intensify pricing and service competition across key holiday routes ahead of the 2026 season.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport Revival Moves Forward with £57m Funding Approval
The plan to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport has gained major momentum after the City of Doncaster Council approved borrowing of up to £57 million to cover initial restoration and operational restart costs. The funding clears a crucial hurdle in bringing the airport back into service, supporting essential upgrades and the early phases of redevelopment. The decision reflects strong local commitment to reviving the airport as a strategic asset for regional connectivity and economic growth.
easyJet Set to Acquire Slovenia’s Adria Tehnika Maintenance Facility
easyJet has reached an agreement to acquire the Adria Tehnika maintenance facility in Brnik, Slovenia, strengthening its in-house technical capabilities. The five-bay centre has long supported heavy maintenance for easyJet’s fleet, and the airline now plans further investment to secure long-term capacity and operational reliability. The move reinforces easyJet’s strategy of tightening control over key maintenance functions as its network and fleet continue to expand.
Irish Aviation News
Northern Ireland Showcases Tourism Strength in Boston as US Connectivity Grows
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald joined Tourism Ireland in Boston to promote Northern Ireland in what is now its second-largest overseas market. The US continues to deliver strong revenue, visitor numbers and bed nights, supported by direct air links from 21 gateways and a 17% increase in winter seat capacity compared with last year. Tourism Ireland highlighted its close collaboration with airlines to stimulate demand and sustain momentum, underscoring the significant growth potential for transatlantic travel to the region.
Ryanair Loses Two Eindhoven Landing Slots Over Repeated Late Arrivals
Eindhoven Airport has revoked two Ryanair landing slots after persistent punctuality issues on flights from Sofia and Pisa. Airport Coordination Netherlands applied the penalty to the Summer 2026 schedule, marking a rare enforcement action from the regulator. The decision underscores Eindhoven’s firm stance on operational reliability as slot performance continues to carry increasing weight in airport scheduling.
Fleetcraft Secures $3.2M to Advance AI-Driven Maintenance Efficiency
Fleetcraft has raised $3.2 million in seed funding to scale its AI tools designed to cut turnaround times and ease the paperwork burden for maintenance teams. Led by CEO Finn Quinlan and CTO Ammar Naseer, the company aims to streamline manual repair logging and technical document review, areas that remain major efficiency bottlenecks across MRO operations. The investment positions Fleetcraft to expand its reach and support a broader shift toward smarter, data-assisted maintenance processes.
Galway County Council Extends Flying Club Lease at Galway Airport
Galway County Council has approved a one-year renewal of the Galway Flying Club’s lease, running from 23 December 2025 to 24 December 2026 at €11,000 per month. The decision came during the November plenary meeting, with the 115-acre site still earmarked for economic development under the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan. With no viable commercial aviation proposals since flights ceased in 2015, councillors called for a broader review of future options, noting ongoing uncertainty around the site’s long-term direction.
IBGAA Joins CLIMBING. FAST. to Strengthen Global Business Aviation Advocacy
The Irish Business & General Aviation Association has joined the CLIMBING. FAST. campaign, broadening the initiative’s international reach and reinforcing Ireland’s voice in global business aviation advocacy. Announced at IBGAA’s 2025 International Business Aviation Conference in Kildare, the partnership aims to highlight the sector’s economic contribution, its role in innovation and its ongoing sustainability progress. By aligning with the campaign, IBGAA adds momentum to a coordinated effort to communicate business aviation’s value to policymakers and the wider public.
Irish Fans Drive 69% Spike in Airline Spending After World Cup Playoff Draw
AIB spending data shows a sharp 69% jump in flight purchases immediately after Ireland drew Czechia in the World Cup playoff, with customers spending €250,000 on flights in just one hour. The surge prompted Ryanair and Aer Lingus to add extra services as demand pushed fares above typical levels. The spike highlights how major sporting events continue to influence short-notice travel patterns and stimulate rapid capacity adjustments from airlines.
Ryanair’s Bold Social Media Voice Strengthens Its Low-Cost Identity
Ryanair has once again leaned into its unapologetically sharp online persona after a viral post about a windowless seat drew the airline’s characteristic response: “We sell seats, not windows.” Rather than apologising, the carrier uses humour, blunt honesty and self-mockery across X and TikTok to reinforce its low-cost values. By turning criticisms about tight seating, strict baggage rules and bare-bones service into comedic content, Ryanair continues to blur the line between audacity and marketing and, in the process, strengthens its brand identity among cost-focused travellers.
Shannon Airliner Update Highlights Ongoing Maintenance and Airfield Activity
The latest Shannon Airliner Update provides a snapshot of aircraft movements, maintenance activity and stored assets across the airfield for October and November. Among the notable entries is an Airbus A319-112, formerly OO-SSQ and now OE-IDN for DVB Bank, which arrived from Ljubljana in late 2024 for BCT maintenance. The aircraft has since undergone multiple air and flight tests through 2025, reflecting the steady flow of heavy maintenance work and long-term care programmes that continue to keep Shannon a key hub for technical operations and asset transition activity.
Tweet Picks
@ATWOnline Capital A, the parent company of @airasia , has signed a letter of intent with Bahrain’s Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry to explore establishing Bahrain as a Middle Eastern hub.
@ATWOnline European carriers @britishairways , HiSky and @airserbia will each add new North American routes in summer 2026, expanding their transatlantic networks and restoring city pairs that have been unserved for decades.
@ATWOnline In spite of geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty, airlines in the Gulf region are spending big money on large new narrowbody and widebody fleets.#DAS2025 #DubaiAirshow2025.
@ATWOnline Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines is seeking to grow both its route network and fleet—with the possibility of adding widebodies—over the next few years.
@ATWOnline Saudi Arabia’s new national network airline, @RiyadhAir, carried out its first flights in late October, ahead of its full public launch. But Chief Executive Tony Douglas knows it marks just the start of a rapid ramp-up.
Video Picks
A320neo Upgrades: Fuel Efficiency Explained
This video breaks down how the A320neo family achieves its well-known fuel efficiency gains through engine enhancements, aerodynamic refinements and cabin-weight optimisations. It highlights the role of the PW1100G-JM and LEAP-1A engines, improved wing design and operational tweaks that together deliver meaningful reductions in fuel burn and emissions. For anyone tracking fleet modernisation or evaluating next-generation narrowbodies, the video offers a clear, concise look at why the A320neo has become a cornerstone of efficiency-focused airline strategies.
BIAL to Invest ₹19,800 Crore in Bengaluru Airport Expansion
This video outlines Bengaluru International Airport’s massive ₹19,800 crore expansion plan, aimed at scaling capacity, improving connectivity and supporting long-term regional growth. It highlights upcoming infrastructure upgrades, including terminal enhancements, airside development and improved multimodal access designed to accommodate rising passenger and cargo demand. The update offers a clear snapshot of how BIAL is positioning itself as a future-ready hub, aligning investment with Bengaluru’s rapid economic and aviation momentum.
Boeing 777-9 Flying Display at the Dubai Airshow
This video captures the Boeing 777-9 putting on an impressive flying display at the Dubai Airshow, showcasing the next-generation widebody’s power, agility and aerodynamic refinements. The footage highlights steep climbs, smooth banking manoeuvres and the aircraft’s signature folding wingtips, offering a rare close-up look at Boeing’s future flagship in motion. It’s a striking demonstration of performance and design aimed at reaffirming the 777X family’s role in long-haul fleet strategies worldwide.
Acumen’s Take
The industry continues to show strong momentum, with airlines, lessors and regulators all pushing forward on strategies centred around efficiency, sustainability and smarter capacity planning. Fleet renewal is accelerating, narrowbody capability is expanding and infrastructure investment is picking up pace across key markets. At the same time, digital transformation and operational discipline remain critical as networks rebalance and competitive pressures intensify. What this landscape reinforces is the need for clear asset visibility, accurate technical insight and informed long-term planning, areas where Acumen’s expertise helps stakeholders navigate complexity and capture emerging opportunities.
