16 Apr 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 16th April 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:
- China Aviation Industry Newsletter: BOC Aviation’s landmark order for 50 Boeing 737-8s highlights sustained leasing demand in Asia. China Eastern’s Geneva route strengthens Sino-European ties, while Lao Airlines becomes the first Southeast Asian operator of the COMAC C909, marking a significant win for China’s aircraft manufacturing ambitions
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-april-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Industry Newsletter: Air India Express expands its engine leasing partnership with Willis Lease, improving cost certainty and fleet uptime. Air India launches a new digital innovation hub in Kochi to drive customer-focused tech, while IndiGo adds direct flights to Seychelles, boosting regional tourism.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-april-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: DAE completes a six-aircraft Boeing 737 MAX delivery programme with Aeromexico, while High Ridge Aviation delivers its first A220 to Breeze Airways via PLB. NAC sells an E195 airframe to Avtrade, and Stratos leases an A330-300P2F to MNG Airlines, reflecting leasing diversity across regions and asset types.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-april-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: Almasria, Turkish Airlines, and VivaAerobus expanded their fleets with A320 and A321 aircraft, while FitzWalter, CDB Aviation, and IndiGo repositioned or returned assets. Meanwhile, Aergo and Icelease advanced their cargo portfolios with widebody and narrowbody freighter conversions, reflecting market appetite for cargo flexibility.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-april-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: Air Lease appoints Grant Newman as Treasurer to strengthen financial leadership, while Avelo Airlines launches 13 new routes including Nassau. ACG delivers its final 737-9 MAX to United Airlines, and BOC Aviation’s 50-aircraft Boeing order signals confidence in the narrowbody leasing market.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-april-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
ASL Airlines Ireland Transfers A330-200 Freighter
ASL Airlines Ireland has transferred an Airbus A330-200F to a new operator. The move is part of the group’s broader fleet optimisation and freighter capacity balancing strategy.
Acumen’s Take
As demand fluctuates in the long-haul cargo segment, ASL’s strategic aircraft repositioning ensures better utilisation and long-term revenue alignment across its global ACMI operations.
Buzz Takes Delivery of Two New 737 MAX Aircraft
Buzz, the Polish subsidiary of Ryanair Group, has taken delivery of two more Boeing 737-8200 aircraft in Ryanair colours, supporting the group’s continued summer 2025 network expansion.
Acumen’s Take
These deliveries reinforce Ryanair Group’s centralised fleet strategy—driving efficiency, simplifying maintenance, and enabling rapid deployment across multiple EU bases.
Ex-JetBlue Embraer E190 Arrives at Ireland West Airport
An ex-JetBlue Embraer E190 has arrived at Ireland West Airport Knock for storage or future reconfiguration. The aircraft’s presence signals ongoing interest in regional asset redeployment and secondary market transitions.
Acumen’s Take
Ireland remains a key hub for asset management and remarketing. Regional jets like the E190 continue to hold value for operators seeking cost-effective lift for thin or emerging routes.
Aircraft Update
Air Hong Kong Transfers A330 Freighter at HKG
B-LKB, an Airbus A330-243F (c/n 1688), was transferred within Air Hong Kong’s operation on 10th April 2025 in Hong Kong. The aircraft, previously registered as EI-LKC, continues to support the carrier’s regional freight network.
Acumen’s Take
Air Hong Kong’s internal asset movement reflects optimisation within Asia’s fast-moving express cargo landscape. As e-commerce volumes hold steady, flexible freighter deployment remains key in dense regional hubs.
Braathens Regional Receives New ATR 72-600
SE-MNP, an ATR72-212A(600) (c/n 1254), was delivered to Braathens Regional at Stockholm Arlanda on 4th April 2025. The aircraft, previously registered as M-ABRR, will serve high-frequency Scandinavian routes.
Acumen’s Take
The ATR72 remains a strong performer in the Nordic market, where short runway access and sustainability targets make turboprops an ideal solution. Braathens’ continued investment in this type reinforces regional market strength.
Global Aviation News
Airbus and THAI Sign LOI to Retrofit A350 Fleet
Airbus has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Thai Airways International to retrofit its A350 fleet. The retrofit project will involve cabin upgrades aimed at enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency across long-haul routes.
Acumen’s Take
Retrofits are gaining momentum as airlines seek to modernise in-service aircraft without waiting for delayed deliveries. This deal signals Thai Airways’ focus on product competitiveness while reaffirming the A350’s long-term relevance.
Air Canada to Launch A220s with Enhanced Cabin and Storage
Air Canada will introduce new Airbus A220s featuring larger overhead bins, redesigned galleys, and improved cabin lighting. These upgrades aim to improve passenger comfort while maintaining fuel efficiency and performance.
Acumen’s Take
The A220 continues to lead in passenger comfort for short- to medium-haul markets. Air Canada’s configuration upgrade reflects growing pressure on full-service carriers to differentiate onboard experience in a competitive regional market.
ASL Airlines France to Launch Paris–Corfu Route for Summer 2025
ASL Airlines France will launch seasonal weekly flights between Paris and Corfu in Summer 2025. The route targets leisure demand from France to Greece, one of Europe’s most resilient summer markets.
Acumen’s Take
Niche seasonal routes remain valuable tools for yield optimisation and aircraft utilisation. ASL France’s move reflects wider trends of charter and hybrid carriers selectively targeting underserved leisure markets.
Avfuel Adds Four Rivers Aviation to Branded FBO Network
Avfuel Corporation has welcomed Four Rivers Aviation into its branded FBO network. Located at Kentucky’s Barkley Regional Airport, the facility will now offer Avfuel’s fuelling, loyalty, and sustainability services.
Acumen’s Take
The FBO sector continues its post-pandemic recovery, with regional U.S. airports playing a growing role in business aviation. Network expansions like this reflect rising demand for premium, standardised service offerings across smaller markets.
Barings Acquires $ 200 M+ Aircraft Portfolio via Capital Solutions Platform
Investment management firm Barings has acquired an aircraft portfolio valued at over $200 million through its Capital Solutions platform. The portfolio includes a mix of mid-life narrowbody assets on lease to global operators.
Acumen’s Take
This deal illustrates continued institutional appetite for aviation assets, especially in the mid-life space where yield potential remains strong. Barings’ entry supports the trend of alternative capital stepping deeper into aviation finance.
Irish Aviation News
Dublin Airport Launches Community Noise Information Portal
Dublin Airport has unveiled a new online portal offering real-time aircraft noise data to local residents. The initiative enhances transparency and community engagement, allowing users to monitor noise levels and aircraft activity by location.
Acumen’s Take
As airports grow, community relations and environmental responsibility become increasingly critical. This portal is a proactive step by daa, aligning with best practices in stakeholder communication and sustainability.
Emirates Renews Partnership with Tourism Ireland
Emirates has extended its collaboration with Tourism Ireland to promote inbound travel from Australia and New Zealand. The campaign will focus on positioning Ireland as a top-tier long-haul destination through joint marketing and trade engagement.
Acumen’s Take
Long-haul tourism partnerships like this help diversify Ireland’s inbound market beyond North America and Europe. It also supports Emirates’ Dublin–Dubai route by reinforcing two-way traffic and off-peak demand generation.
Eoghan Corry: March 2025 Travel Trends
Travel commentator Eoghan Corry’s March report highlights strong demand for Mediterranean travel, cautious U.S. outbound sentiment, and a continued boom in cruise bookings. He also flagged growing optimism around the Asian market recovery.
Acumen’s Take
Corry’s insights reinforce leisure travel’s resilience and the growing complexity of regional market recovery. These trends are vital for route planners and lessors anticipating seasonal aircraft rotations.
Podcast Spotlight: Executive Chair with Eamonn Brennan
Former Eurocontrol Director General and IAA Chief Eamonn Brennan reflects on his career and Irish aviation’s evolution in a wide-ranging Newstalk interview. He discusses policy reform, traffic growth, and leadership lessons.
Acumen’s Take
Brennan’s legacy is tightly woven into Ireland’s air traffic and regulatory growth story. His remarks offer key context for future aviation strategy, particularly around infrastructure, digitalisation, and European airspace harmonisation.
Ryanair Adds Flights on Dublin–Sofia Route
Ryanair has increased frequency on its Dublin to Sofia route for Summer 2025, responding to sustained demand on this popular East-West city pair.
Acumen’s Take
The added capacity reinforces Ryanair’s strength in linking Western Europe to secondary Eastern European cities. Frequency increases on such routes indicate strong yields and potential for further connectivity development.
Tweet Picks
@AviationWeek Embraer and Turkish Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore potential industrial cooperation, including final assembly in Turkey.
@airwaysmagazine Alaska Airlines bid farewell yesterday to N302AS, the oldest Boeing 737-900 in its fleet and the original prototype of the -900 series. It flew its final leg, AS9414, from Seattle to Marana—still without winglets, as it always had.
@bespokeinvest Delta Air Lines $DAL: "We will not be paying tariffs on any aircraft deliveries we take. These times are pretty uncertain, and if you start to put a 20% incremental cost on top of an aircraft, it gets very difficult to make that math work." – Ed Bastian, CEO.
@BoeingAirplanes We’re excited to announce a new collaboration with Northwest Aerospace Technologies to perform several 787 interior modification projects under a limited license. #AIX2025
Video Picks
Air France CEO: We’re in “Uncharted Territory”
Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith described the current state of European aviation as “uncharted territory,” citing geopolitical risks, regulatory pressures, and volatile demand as key challenges.
Acumen’s Take
Legacy carriers are navigating unprecedented market complexities. Smith’s comments highlight the pressure on full-service models to adapt through partnerships, fleet rationalisation, and regulatory engagement.
Delta CEO: Trump Tariffs Impacting Forward Bookings
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated that ongoing trade tensions and new tariffs have already begun to affect international bookings, forcing the airline to withdraw its 2025 forecast.
Acumen’s Take
Tariff-driven uncertainty is now tangibly affecting consumer behaviour and airline planning. This adds pressure on network planning, fuel hedging, and fleet delivery decisions for transatlantic operators.
Michael O’Leary Slams EU261 at A4E Summit
Speaking at the Airlines for Europe (A4E) summit in Brussels, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary criticised the EU261 passenger compensation regulation, calling it “outdated” and “in need of overhaul.”
Acumen’s Take
EU261 reform has long been a point of contention. O’Leary’s critique reflects the low-cost sector’s concern over escalating compliance costs and legal exposure, especially during irregular operations.
