14 Jan 2026
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 14th January 2026
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:
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs
IrishAero News
Ryanair Group Takes Delivery of 34 Boeing 737s in 2025
Ryanair Group continued the expansion of its Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 “Gamechanger” fleet through 2025, taking delivery of 34 aircraft during the calendar year and bringing the in-service total to 206 aircraft as of 31 December 2025. The majority of deliveries were allocated to Dublin-based Ryanair DAC, which received 26 aircraft, reinforcing its status as the group’s largest MAX operator. Polish subsidiary Buzz took delivery of seven aircraft, while Ryanair UK received its first 737 MAX 8-200, marking a notable milestone for the London Stansted-based AOC. The deliveries further underline the group’s commitment to fleet modernisation and unit-cost leadership using the high-density MAX platform supplied by Boeing.
LY-BQR Airbus A321-231 Departs Ireland West Airport
An Airbus A321-231, LY-BQR (MSN 0946), has departed Ireland after an extended storage period. Reported by Skyliner Aviation, the aircraft had been stored at Ireland West Airport since 2018 and departed on 22 December 2025, routing via Verona, Italy, to Varna, Bulgaria, for Electra Airways operations. Previously stored in all-white livery with former AnadoluJet titles, the aircraft was re-registered to Maverick Horizon Ltd on 25 August 2025, having earlier operated as 9H-SLG.
MIAT Wet-Leases EI-MGL Boeing 787-9 to Gulf Air
MIAT Mongolian Airlines has wet-leased a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, EI-MGL (MSN 60326), to Bahrain-based Gulf Air, which is operating the aircraft in full Gulf Air colours. The aircraft positioned from Ulaanbaatar to Bahrain on 12 December 2025 and entered service on 14 December, operating the daily Bahrain–Manila route as flights GFA154/155. The wet lease supports Gulf Air’s long-haul growth plans, following the airline’s November 2025 order for 15 Boeing 787s, with options for three more, as it continues to expand its widebody network across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Global Aviation News
Boeing Targets Higher 737 MAX Production Rates
Boeing plans to increase 737 MAX output to 47 aircraft per month by the second quarter of 2026, supported by the opening of a fourth assembly line at its Renton facility. The manufacturer is currently producing 42 aircraft per month, following FAA approval in October to move up from 38, with any further increases remaining subject to regulatory clearance. Boeing management has indicated confidence in the ramp-up, citing strong inventory levels and improved supplier readiness as key enablers of higher production rates.
Brussels Airlines Adds African-Inspired Menus on Long-Haul Services
Brussels Airlines will introduce African-inspired meal options on long-haul flights from sub-Saharan Africa to Brussels from January 2026, reinforcing its role as the Lufthansa Group’s Africa specialist. Serving 18 destinations across the region, the airline aims to reflect local culinary heritage through rotating menus adapted for inflight service, with initial dishes including Cape Malay braised chicken in Business Class and Cameroonian Cod Mbongo in Economy Class.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport Warns New Taxes Could Trigger Losses
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) has warned that newly announced local and federal aviation taxes could drive the airport into loss-making territory as early as 2026, with significant consequences for employment and the wider Belgian economy.
CALC Orders 30 New Airbus A320neo Aircraft
China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft, reinforcing its long-term commitment to next-generation fleets and further strengthening its partnership with Airbus. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery through to 2033 and include conversion rights across the A320 family, lifting CALC’s remaining Airbus orderbook to 105 aircraft and bringing its total Airbus orders to 282, positioning the lessor among Airbus’s largest global customers.
Cathay Group Appoints New Chair
Cathay Group has announced that Patrick Healy will step down as Chair on 13 May 2026 and retire from the Swire Group later that month, concluding a career of more than three decades. The Board has appointed Guy Bradley as the new Chair, effective 13 May 2026, with Bradley paying tribute to Healy’s leadership through the pandemic and noting that under his tenure Cathay Pacific Airways Limited restored pre-pandemic capacity and expanded its network to over 100 destinations
Dubai Airports Plans for Winter Travel Surge with Expanded Connectivity
Dubai Airports is preparing for a strong winter travel season by expanding connectivity across both Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International Airport, with direct traffic now accounting for 55% of DXB’s winter passenger demand, driven largely by growth from Europe and Central Asia. Recent additions include the launch of twice-weekly Aktau services by FlyArystan on 29 November and the resumption of five weekly Vienna flights by Austrian Airlines from 2 December, underscoring Dubai’s focus on strengthening its winter network and attracting new airline capacity.
EBACE Marks New Era
European Business Aviation Association has announced a reimagined static display for EBACE26, relocating it to a new dedicated area at Geneva Airport and signalling a shift in how the show presents aircraft. The redesigned layout is intended to deliver a more secure, flexible, and customer-focused showcase, reflecting EBAA’s aim to modernise EBACE and better align the event with evolving exhibitor and operator expectations in business aviation.
Emirates Advances Fleet Retrofit Programme
Emirates has entered the next phase of its fleet retrofit programme, with 111 aircraft scheduled for major cabin and technology upgrades, including 60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s, starting from August 2026. The enhancements will introduce new seating designs, refreshed onboard lounges on the A380 fleet, a next-generation inflight entertainment system from Panasonic, and upgraded connectivity via Starlink, reflecting Emirates’ continued focus on fleet modernisation and delivering a more consistent, premium passenger experience across its long-haul network.
Eurowings Expands Premium BIZ Seat Trial
Eurowings has introduced a second Airbus A320neo equipped with its new 2×2 Premium BIZ Seat, extending the trial beyond the Berlin–Dubai test route to its wider network. The aircraft will operate flexibly across popular leisure routes from airports including Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg and Stuttgart, allowing passengers outside Berlin to experience the new premium seating for the first time.
Irish Aviation News
Aer Lingus Scraps Cork–Dubrovnik Flights After Six Summers
Aer Lingus has withdrawn its seasonal Cork–Dubrovnik service, ending a route that operated for six consecutive summer seasons after first launching in May 2019, with twice-weekly flights during Summer 2025. While Cork loses its direct link to the Croatian destination, Aer Lingus will continue to serve Dubrovnik from Dublin next summer with up to seven weekly flights, maintaining overall connectivity for Irish travellers, albeit requiring longer journeys for passengers based outside the capital.
Aergo Capital Acquires A321-231 on Lease to Wizz
Aergo Capital has completed the acquisition of an Airbus A321-231 (MSN 7316) from Aircastle, with the aircraft remaining on lease to Wizz, marking Aergo’s fourth aircraft placement with the carrier. Announced on 24 December 2025, the transaction reinforces Aergo’s growing narrowbody portfolio and its ongoing partnership with Wizz, with Smith Gambrell & Russell acting as lead counsel and PK Finance providing debt financing for the deal.
Inside the Irish Air Corps’ AW139M Operations
The Irish Air Corps operates a fleet of six AW139M helicopters with 301 Squadron, delivering a wide range of missions spanning troop transport, Special Forces support, and nationwide Emergency Aeromedical Services, underscoring the platform’s multi-role flexibility. Based at Casement Aerodrome, No. 3 Operations Wing relies on the AW139M as the backbone of its rotary operations, with commanders highlighting its adaptability and reliability in demanding weather and operational conditions, enabling the unit to respond rapidly across both military and civilian taskings.
Investec Aviation Finance Powers Federal Airlines Fleet Expansion
Investec Aviation Finance has restructured and upsized a senior revolving credit facility to support Federal Airlines as it expands its fleet to meet rising demand from international tourism and premium safari travel, enabling the refinancing of a pre-owned Embraer ERJ 145, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, and a spare engine, while also securing delivery financing for two additional new Cessna Caravan 208B aircraft scheduled for arrival in 2026, reinforcing the airline’s capacity growth and operational flexibility.
Ireland’s Aer Arann Islands Mulls Future Fleet and Route Expansion
Aer Arann Islands is reviewing options for its future fleet and considering potential route expansion as it plans the next phase of growth for its regional operations. The airline is understood to be assessing aircraft replacement and network opportunities to support connectivity between the Aran Islands and the mainland, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen reliability, capacity, and long-term sustainability in Ireland’s regional aviation market.
Ireland West Airport Knock Introduces New Feature for Faster Boarding
Ireland West Airport Knock has introduced a new Aviramp to improve boarding efficiency and accessibility for passengers. The fully solar-powered, step-free ramp allows passengers to board and disembark aircraft in all weather conditions, is fully wheelchair accessible, and reduces luggage lifting requirements, supporting quicker turnarounds and a more comfortable passenger experience.
New Garda Air Support Unit Viking 400 Arrives in Baldonnel
Garda Air Support Unit has taken delivery of a new Viking 400 fixed-wing aircraft, which arrived at Casement Aerodrome on 13 December following a ferry flight from Wiener Neustadt, Austria, where it was fitted with advanced surveillance systems by Airborne Technologies GmbH. Currently registered as HB-LAQ with Zimex Aviation, the aircraft will assume Irish Air Corps serial 288 and replaces ageing fixed-wing capability, with the Viking 400 based on the proven DHC-6 Twin Otter platform. The acquisition forms part of a wider €21.5 million Garda aviation investment announced in 2023, with the aircraft and mission suite estimated at €7 million and a 10-year maintenance package bringing total long-term investment to approximately €11 million.
New Helicopter Begins Coastguard Operations in the North West
A new helicopter has entered service on the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 118 operation, now operating from Sligo Airport under a new contract awarded to Bristow Ireland. The AW189 aircraft began operations earlier this week, providing maritime and inland search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and Helicopter Emergency Medical and air ambulance services, including day-and-night support for island communities, following the Department of Transport’s agreement with Bristow to deliver the expanded Coastguard air service in the North West.
Ryanair Reaches One Million Passengers at Münster/Osnabrück Airport
Ryanair has reached the one-million-passenger milestone at Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO), underlining the airline’s growing footprint at the German regional airport. Around 20% of Ryanair’s passengers travel from the Netherlands, highlighting FMO’s strong cross-border appeal, while the carrier currently operates year-round services to Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Alicante, and London, with Corfu and Zadar set to join the network during the summer season.
Tweet Picks
@eVTOLInsights .@ArcherAviation says its planned network will connect #Miami, #FortLauderdale, #BocaRaton and #WestPalmBeach via 10 to 20-minute flights. The network will also offer efficient travel options between the region’s three major international airports.
@flightradar24 On this very day, the first flight of the Embraer E175-E2 took place in 2019 from the factory in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The E175-E2 program is currently paused, primarily due to issues selling the model to US regional carriers.
@FlyRwandAir During the launch ceremony of our inaugural flight to #Zanzibar, Ag. COO Mr. Ernest MUSHI said: “This expansion reflects our growing commitment to the Tanzanian market and our vision to make air travel across the region more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable.”
@gotravelyourway flydubai’s CEO has ruled out any North America flights with their upcoming Boeing 787-9 fleet. The new three-class Dreamliner will open new routes, but “not that far” for now. Interesting move for an airline about to step into widebody operations.
Video Picks
Safety and Operations Update | IATA Global Media Day 2025
This video from IATA Global Media Day 2025 provides an overview of the latest safety performance trends and operational priorities shaping global aviation. It covers how airlines, regulators, and industry bodies are addressing operational resilience, safety oversight, and emerging risks as traffic continues to normalise and grow post-pandemic.
Spirit Airlines Eyes Merger With Frontier Amid Restructuring
This video looks at Spirit Airlines’ restructuring efforts and the renewed discussion around a potential merger with Frontier, exploring what consolidation could mean for the US low-cost market as airlines seek scale, cost stability, and clearer long-term positioning.
‘The outlook for business jet travel has seen some pick-up here in 2025’: Analyst
This segment examines early signs of recovery in the business aviation sector, with analysts discussing demand trends, fleet utilisation, and how corporate and private travel patterns are evolving in 2025.
Acumen’s Take
What stands out in this brief is how clearly 2026 is shaping up as a year of consolidation and selective investment rather than unchecked growth. OEM production ramp-ups, large lessor orders, and fleet retrofits point to confidence in long-term demand, but always within regulatory and capital constraints. At the same time, airports and governments face growing pressure as taxes, infrastructure limits, and policy delays start to bite. The common thread is focus: airlines, lessors, and hubs are doubling down on core assets, proven routes, and operational resilience, signalling a more disciplined phase of the post-pandemic recovery.
