10 Sep 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 10th September 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
ASL Airlines Ireland Retires Final Boeing 737 Classics
ASL Airlines Ireland, part of ASL Aviation Holdings DAC, has retired its last four Boeing 737 Classic freighters, closing the chapter on decades of operations with the type. The remaining 737-400SF aircraft have now been moved into storage at facilities across Europe, according to Planespotters.net. The retirement underscores the carrier’s transition toward newer, more efficient aircraft as it modernises its fleet to meet evolving operational and environmental demands.
China Airlines Positions Airbus A330-300 to Ireland West Airport
Ireland West Airport welcomed a notable widebody visitor on 26 August 2025 with the arrival of a China Airlines Airbus A330-302, registered B-18302 (MSN 0607). The aircraft, in basic colours, touched down at 09:41 local time after routing Taipei–Bangkok–Vienna–Knock under callsign CAL077, according to Flightradar24. Reported by Knock Airport–Runwayside, the movement highlights the airport’s ongoing role in accommodating positioning and technical flights for international carriers.
Flydubai Takes Delivery of Eighth 737 MAX via Shannon
Flydubai has expanded its fleet with the delivery of its eighth Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered A6-FQL (MSN 61021). The aircraft departed Boeing Field, Seattle, on 21 August at 18:14 under flight number FDB9741 and arrived at Shannon Airport the following morning at 10:20 local time. The stop at Shannon underscores the airport’s continuing importance as a key technical hub for transatlantic ferry flights supporting global fleet deliveries.
Aircraft Update
N821CM Airbus A330-343 c/n 1146 Cargo Aircraft Management Ferried to Guangzhou 04/09/25 ex EI-HDN
Cargo Aircraft Management has ferried an Airbus A330-343, registered N821CM (MSN 1146), to Guangzhou on 4 September 2025. The aircraft, formerly operating as EI-HDN, is expected to undergo further modification and integration into the company’s cargo portfolio. The repositioning highlights the continued demand for widebody capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, as lessors and operators strengthen their fleets to support growing international freight activity.
TC-GOU Airbus A330-343(F) c/n 343 ULS Airlines Cargo Delivered to Istanbul 11/08/25 ex N803CM
ULS Airlines Cargo took delivery of an Airbus A330-343F, registered TC-GOU (MSN 343), on 11 August 2025. Formerly operating as N803CM, the widebody freighter was delivered to Istanbul to join ULS’s expanding cargo fleet. The addition supports the carrier’s strategy to enhance long-haul freight capacity and meet growing global demand for efficient widebody operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Global Aviation News
Emirates NBD Fuels UAE's Global Trade Ambition with $350m Financing for Two Boeing 777 Freighters
Emirates NBD has finalised a USD 350 million financing deal with Emirates Airline to fund the delivery of two Boeing 777-200LRF freighters. The agreement bolsters Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet expansion plans and strengthens Dubai’s role as a global logistics hub. The additional freighters will enhance capacity for international trade, aligning with the UAE’s strategy to reinforce its leadership in global commerce and air cargo connectivity.
JetBlue Airways Considering Legal Action Against Portugal
JetBlue Airways is weighing legal action against Portugal, alleging repeated denials of access to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport. The U.S. carrier claims its landing and takeoff slot requests have been rejected since 2023, creating an imbalance under the existing open-skies policy. In a filing to the U.S. Department of Transportation, JetBlue argued that Portugal should not benefit from unrestricted flight rights if it fails to grant reciprocal access to American airlines, raising the prospect of escalating transatlantic aviation tensions.
Thailand Plans Free Domestic Flights to Woo Overseas Visitors
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a plan to provide 200,000 free domestic flight tickets to international visitors over a three-month period. The initiative, branded “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights”, aims to stimulate travel to secondary destinations beyond Bangkok and Phuket. Backed by a proposed budget of 700 million baht (£16 million), the scheme is projected to generate around 8.8 billion baht (£200 million) in tourism revenue. The plan awaits cabinet approval, but officials believe it could play a pivotal role in diversifying visitor flows and boosting the country’s tourism recovery.
TUI Adds Sweden and Norway to Ski Holiday Offering
TUI is broadening its winter holiday portfolio with the addition of Scandinavia as a new ski destination. From 20 December 2025 to 21 March 2026, TUI fly Belgium will operate a weekly direct service from Brussels to Scandinavian Mountains Airport (SCR), situated on the Sweden–Norway border. The airport offers convenient access to top resorts including Trysil in Norway, as well as Stöten and Sälen in Sweden. Travellers will have a choice of 20 accommodation options, ranging from ski-in/ski-out lodges to classic hotels, providing Belgian skiers with a fresh alternative to traditional Alpine getaways
Turkish Airlines to Build Spanish and Latin American Presence with Air Europa Stake
Turkish Airlines has confirmed a €300 million investment in Air Europa, marking a strategic step to strengthen its footprint in Spain and Latin America. Air Europa, ranked 36th in Europe by seat capacity, operates a fleet less than one-tenth the size of Turkish Airlines, which is currently Europe’s third-largest carrier by seats. The investment, primarily through a capital increase, will give Turkish Airlines a minority stake in the Spanish carrier, with the final shareholding to be confirmed at closing.
USA’s Ailing Spirit Airlines Delists from US Stock Exchange After AerCap Triggers Bankruptcy Filing
The New York Stock Exchange has moved to delist Spirit Aviation Holdings, ruling the airline no longer suitable for listing following its latest bankruptcy filing. Trading of Spirit’s common stock has been immediately suspended, with the carrier preparing to shift to the over-the-counter (OTC) market. The transition is expected to reduce stock liquidity and further complicates the financial challenges facing the Florida-based ultra-low-cost carrier, which recently cited lease terminations by Dublin-based AerCap as a key factor in its collapse back into Chapter 11.
US Scope Clause Squeezes Regionals, Limits Growth
The United States, traditionally the world’s largest regional airline market, faces a significant bottleneck as the Scope Clause continues to constrain growth and innovation. The outdated labour policy restricts regional carriers from operating larger, more efficient aircraft, leaving new-generation models like the Embraer E175-E2 and the Mitsubishi SpaceJet grounded before they could enter service. Both aircraft promised double-digit fuel burn savings, but their weight exceeds current Scope limits. As a result, the regional market is increasingly stymied, with airlines unable to capitalize on technological advancements that could improve efficiency and sustainability.
WestJet Secures Its Largest-Ever Aircraft Order with Boeing
WestJet has finalised its biggest fleet order to date, signing an agreement with Boeing for 60 737-10 MAX aircraft plus options for 25 more, alongside seven 787-9 Dreamliners with options for four. Deliveries will run through 2034, representing a multi-billion-dollar investment in the carrier’s long-term growth. The deal underlines WestJet’s ambition to expand capacity, enhance resilience, and offer Canadian travellers greater choice, connectivity, and value.
Wizz Air Expands in Moldova, Becomes Market Leader with Five Aircraft in Chisinau
Wizz Air is strengthening its position in Moldova with the addition of two Airbus A320ceo aircraft to its Chișinău base in December 2025 and March 2026, bringing the total to five. The expansion will introduce six new routes: Hamburg, Turin, Frankfurt Hahn, Nice, Prague, and Copenhagen, while also increasing frequencies on key existing services, including Brussels, Larnaca, Berlin, Paris, and Barcelona. By 2026, Wizz Air will operate 34 routes to 16 countries from Chișinău, offering more than 3 million seats annually and cementing its role as the market leader in Moldova.
Irish Aviation News
Over 72,000 Passengers Passed Through Kerry Airport in Q1 2025
Kerry Airport handled more than 72,000 passengers in the first quarter of 2025, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office. Nationally, Ireland’s five main airports welcomed a combined 8.2 million passengers during the same period. The results highlight Kerry’s continued role as a vital regional gateway, contributing to overall connectivity while supporting local tourism and economic activity.
Qatar Airways Adds Aer Lingus Trans-Atlantic Codeshare From September 2025
Qatar Airways has expanded its partnership with Aer Lingus to include codeshare on select transatlantic services starting September 2025. The agreement covers flights from Dublin to key U.S. cities such as Boston, Newark, Washington Dulles, Philadelphia, Orlando, Nashville, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. The expansion strengthens connectivity between Ireland and the U.S., while broadening Qatar Airways’ network reach and offering passengers greater choice and convenience when travelling across the Atlantic.
Ryanair to Cut 1 Million Seats in Spain, Reinforces Morocco Investment
Ryanair is set to reduce capacity in Spain by almost one million seats this winter, focusing the cuts on regional airports. CEO Eddie Wilson confirmed details of the affected airports will be announced in Madrid next week. At the same time, the airline is ramping up investment in Morocco, expanding routes and reinforcing its long-term commitment to the North African market. The move highlights Ryanair’s strategy of reallocating capacity to markets offering stronger growth and profitability potential.
Shannon Airliner Update
The latest Shannon Airliner Update highlights reduced activity over the summer period, covering maintenance visits, stored aircraft, and local movements. Notable updates include Brussels Airlines’ A319-112 (OO-SSQ, MSN 3790), which arrived from Ljubljana in December 2024 for BCT maintenance, later re-registered as OE-IDN for DVB Bank, and carried out local air-tests in March and June 2025. Additionally, DVB Bank’s A320-232 (OE-IFR, MSN 2156, ex 9H-VDF) arrived from Madrid in February, completed a short check flight in May, and departed for Sofia on 22 August 2025. The update reflects Shannon’s continued role as a hub for maintenance and aircraft transitions despite seasonal fluctuations.
Shannon Aerospace Firm Joins Forces With Scandinavian Counterpart
Shannon-based A-techSYN Limited has announced a strategic partnership with Denmark’s Amonyx ApS to develop advanced aerospace technology capable of operating in Arctic conditions. As part of the agreement, A-techSYN will provide €5 million in funding in exchange for a 49% stake in the Danish firm. Headquartered in the Shannon Free Zone, A-techSYN’s investment strengthens its international footprint while supporting innovation in extreme environment operations, further highlighting Shannon’s role as a hub for aerospace research and development.
Why Does a LATAM Airlines Aircraft Have an Irish Registration?
An Airbus A320neo, registered EI-HPH, recently arrived at Santiago de Chile International Airport after completing its transfer flight from India, where it previously flew for IndiGo as VT-IZS. The aircraft is set to join LATAM Airlines Chile’s fleet as CC-BHO, though it may later be reassigned to LATAM Peru under the group’s redistribution strategy. Its temporary Irish registration reflects the use of Ireland’s aviation registry during the transition process, underscoring Ireland’s global role in aircraft leasing and cross-border fleet management.
What Will It Cost to Decarbonise Aviation? A Study on Irish SAF Production
A new study by University College Dublin has examined the cost of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Ireland, in light of EU regulations requiring at least 230 kilotonnes of SAF by 2035. SAF, produced as an e-fuel using captured carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen, is seen as essential for aviation’s decarbonisation. The research highlights both the scale of investment needed and the opportunity for Ireland to develop domestic production capacity, reducing reliance on imports while supporting climate goals and long-term energy security.
Why Ryanair Doesn’t Want Its Boeing 737 NGs Anymore
Ryanair, long reliant on Boeing aircraft to power its low-cost model, is steadily moving away from its older Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) fleet. While the NGs have served as the backbone of Ryanair’s short-haul network for years, the airline is prioritising a transition to the newer 737 MAX family. The MAX offers improved fuel efficiency, lower operating costs, and reduced emissions, factors central to Ryanair’s high-utilisation, low-cost strategy. The shift underscores Ryanair’s ongoing focus on fleet modernisation as it positions itself for future growth and sustainability.
Tweet Picks
@SimonCalder Record trips abroad by UK holidaymakers in 2024, though our top three – France, Spain, Italy – all saw a slight decline in visits. The “balance of tourism” deficit – excess of spending on outbound trips over inbound visits – has surged to a record £46bn.
@SimonCalder Ryanair: from 3 November all passengers (except from Albania and Morocco) must show boarding passes on the airline app on their smartphone. If you lose your phone or it runs flat, you can get a boarding pass at the airport – as long as you have checked in.
@SpiritAirlines Our operation continues as normal, and you can continue to count on us for great value and excellent service. Read our open letter to Guests.
@thecurrency Bigger is better: Irish-led SMBC Aviation Capital leads a $7.4 billion “transformational” acquisition.
Video Picks
Holiday Spending by Gen Z Expected to Drop 23% This Year, According to PwC Survey
This segment examines PwC’s latest survey findings, which reveal a projected 23% decline in holiday spending among Gen Z consumers. Analysts point to shifting priorities, with younger shoppers focusing more on savings, experiences, and sustainability over traditional retail splurges. The discussion highlights the potential impact on retailers, travel operators, and hospitality providers as they adapt strategies to meet evolving consumer behaviour.
Ireland's Tourist Season Report by Sarah Madden on Newstalk
This report by Sarah Madden on Newstalk takes a closer look at Ireland’s 2025 tourist season, highlighting strong demand across key destinations despite ongoing cost pressures. Industry experts note the continued recovery of inbound travel, with overseas visitors boosting regional economies. The discussion also underscores the importance of sustainable growth, ensuring Ireland remains competitive while balancing infrastructure, pricing, and visitor experience.
ITIC Sustainable Tourism – A View from the Education Sector
This feature explores how the education sector is engaging with the future of sustainable tourism, highlighting the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation’s (ITIC) discussions on building resilience and long-term growth. Academic voices stress the need to embed sustainability principles into curricula, preparing the next generation of leaders to balance economic, social, and environmental priorities. The video underscores how collaboration between industry and education can drive meaningful change in tourism practices.
Acumen’s Take
The latest developments across global aviation reflect a sector navigating both expansion and transition. Airlines are modernising fleets and diversifying networks, while lessors and financiers are shaping the industry’s structure through strategic investments. Cargo and tourism continue to play pivotal roles, underpinned by innovation, policy, and sustainability goals. Regional hubs such as Ireland remain central to leasing, connectivity, and aviation research. Overall, the industry demonstrates adaptability and resilience, with long-term growth firmly linked to efficiency, collaboration, and sustainable transformation.
