16 Jun 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 16th June 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: Explore recent developments in airline strategies, OEM activity, and policy shifts.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-june-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Newsletter: Catch up on airport infrastructure projects, fleet activity, and key regulatory updates.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-june-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: Track lease transitions, asset activity, and strategic shifts in the global leasing hub.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-june-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: Detailed aircraft movement updates involving Irish lessors and operators.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-june-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: Insight into airline operations, fleet transactions, and regulatory news across North America.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-june-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
FlyArystan Adds A320neo EI-KFH
Kazakhstan-based Low Cost Carrier FlyArystan, a subsidiary of the Air Astana Group, announced the delivery of its 27th Airbus A320 aircraft. The aircraft will begin operating flights this month.
The aircraft delivered 29 May, Toulouse to Almaty International, registered EI-KFH Airbus A320-271N (msn 6614), named "Atlas" after the bright star in the Pleiades cluster, symbolising reliability, strength, and the pursuit of great heights.
Acumen’s Take:
FlyArystan’s continued fleet expansion reinforces its strong growth trajectory in Central Asia. The addition of the A320neo enhances operational efficiency and aligns with the airline’s strategy to strengthen its domestic and regional network using fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft.
Ryanair Bases 4th Boeing 737 in Shannon
Ryanair has announced the addition of a fourth based aircraft at its Shannon Airport base — a new Boeing 737-8200 "Gamechanger". The expansion comes with the introduction of three new routes to Lapland, Madeira, and Madrid, along with increased frequencies on six popular routes: Alicante, Edinburgh, Kraków, Lanzarote, Manchester, and Wrocław for the Winter 2025/26 season.This move is expected to deliver a 20% traffic boost, bringing total Ryanair passenger traffic at Shannon to 1.6 million per year and supporting over 1,500 local jobs.
Acumen’s Take:
Ryanair’s fleet expansion at Shannon reflects its long-term commitment to regional connectivity and economic growth in Ireland. The addition of the fuel-efficient 737-8200 and new winter routes enhances Shannon’s role as a key hub in Ryanair’s network strategy.
Turkish Airlines Expands Dublin–Istanbul Service
Turkish Airlines has increased its weekly flights between Dublin and Istanbul from 18 to 21, effective 9 June 2025, as part of its expanded UK and Ireland summer schedule. The additional frequencies will be operated using two-class 182-seat Airbus A321ceo and A321neo aircraft to accommodate growing passenger demand.
Acumen’s Take:
This capacity increase reaffirms Turkish Airlines’ strategic focus on strengthening Dublin as a key gateway to its global network. With growing year-round demand to Turkey and beyond, the move enhances connectivity for both leisure and business travellers, while positioning Istanbul as a vital international hub for Irish outbound traffic.
Aircraft Update
AP-BPG Airbus A320-214
(c/n 4160) was delivered to Air Sial in Karachi on 23 May 2025, ex JY-AZB.
Acumen’s Take:
This delivery underscores Air Sial’s ongoing fleet enhancement strategy, positioning the airline to expand its domestic and regional network while maintaining cost-effective operations with a reliable aircraft type.
EI-HHW Airbus A220-300
(c/n 55358) was delivered to ITA Airways on 6 June 2025, operating from Montréal to Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
Acumen’s Take:
This delivery marks another step in ITA Airways’ modernisation efforts, with the Airbus A220-300 enhancing fleet efficiency, reducing emissions, and improving passenger comfort on short-to-medium haul routes.
Global Aviation News
Aena Group airports handle 34.5 million passengers in May 2025
Aena Group reported handling 34.48 million passengers across its airport network in May 2025, reflecting a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year. The month also saw 297,321 aircraft movements (+2.6%) and 126,911 tonnes of freight processed (+5.4%).
Acumen’s Take:
The steady growth across passenger traffic, movements, and freight volumes signals continued recovery and resilience in the European aviation market. Aena’s sustained operational momentum highlights improving consumer demand and robust logistics performance heading into the peak summer travel period.
Airbus Delivered 51 Aircraft to 32 Customers in May 2025
Airbus delivered 51 aircraft to 32 customers in May 2025, maintaining momentum in its delivery targets. Notably, the month recorded no gross orders. The year-to-date total stands at 243 deliveries across 61 customers, underscoring Airbus’s consistent performance through H1 2025.
Acumen’s Take:
While order activity was flat in May, Airbus’s strong delivery figures reflect stable demand and robust production efficiency. With 243 aircraft already delivered, Airbus is on track to meet its 2025 targets, reinforcing its position in the global OEM landscape despite broader supply chain and order cycle fluctuations.
Electric Aircraft Lands at JFK in Historic First for Port Authority and BETA Technologies
BETA Technologies’ ALIA CTOL electric aircraft has made a landmark landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), becoming the first all-electric aircraft to arrive at a major New York-area airport. The 45-minute flight carried a pilot and four passengers, including executives from Republic Airways and Blade Air Mobility, marking a pivotal step for electric aviation in commercial hubs.
Acumen’s Take:
This milestone flight to JFK signals accelerating progress toward zero-emissions aviation. For lessors, OEMs, and infrastructure players, it highlights the growing urgency to align portfolios and airport capabilities with the realities of electric and sustainable aircraft technology. This development reinforces the momentum behind advanced air mobility and future-ready infrastructure planning.
Embraer Publishes Commercial Aviation Global Market Outlook
Embraer’s Market Outlook 2025, released ahead of the Paris Air Show, forecasts 10,500 new jet and turboprop deliveries in the sub-150-seat category over the next 20 years, valued at US$680 billion. The report underscores sustained global demand driven by enduring social, supply chain, and geopolitical trends.Key highlights include China leading in annual RPK growth and North America topping jet deliveries. For the first time, China received its own detailed analysis. The outlook also covers cargo aircraft demand and forecasts for passenger-to-freighter conversions.
Acumen’s Take:
Embraer’s consistent projection confirms the sub-150-seat segment’s critical role in shaping future fleet strategies, particularly for regional connectivity and underserved markets. Lessors and operators focusing on fleet modernisation and route flexibility should take note of these growth dynamics—especially in light of expanding opportunities across Asia and the Americas.
IAG CEO Luis Gallego Chairs IATA Board
Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), has officially assumed the role of Chair of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board. His one-year term commenced on 2 June 2025, following the conclusion of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi.Gallego, who has been a member of the IATA Board since 2018, becomes the 83rd Chair. He takes over from Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, who will continue to serve as a Board member.
Acumen’s Take:
Gallego’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for global aviation, as the industry confronts key challenges such as sustainability, regulatory reform, and digital transformation. His extensive experience leading one of the world’s largest airline groups positions him well to guide IATA’s strategic priorities and represent airline interests on the global stage.
Rolls-Royce Launches Trent 1000 Durability Enhancements
Rolls-Royce has unveiled two new durability enhancement packages for its Trent 1000 engines, effectively more than doubling the scheduled maintenance intervals. These upgrades are now available for retrofit at maintenance centres globally and have been integrated into all new-build Trent 1000 engines for Boeing 787 aircraft since January 2025.This initiative comes in response to pressure from Dreamliner operators such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, who have experienced service disruptions. The maintenance interval extensions will vary based on individual operator flying profiles.
Acumen’s Take:
By extending maintenance intervals, Rolls-Royce is not only reducing operating costs for airlines but also restoring confidence in the Trent 1000 programme following past reliability issues. This move aligns with the industry's growing emphasis on efficiency and long-term engine performance sustainability.
Irish Aviation News
AerCap Awarded Insurance Payment by English Commercial Court
AerCap Holdings N.V. announced that the English Commercial Court has ruled in favour of its subsidiary, AerCap Ireland Limited, in a landmark insurance dispute. The court found the lessor entitled to recover an indemnity of approximately $1 billion under the “War and Allied Perils” clause of its insurance policy. The claim pertains to aircraft and engines leased to Russian airlines that were not recovered following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The indemnity is due by 2 July 2025, with further hearings on interest and costs set for September 2025.
Acumen’s Take:
This ruling represents a major legal and financial precedent in aviation insurance, particularly concerning geopolitical risk. It highlights the critical importance of robust war-risk coverage for lessors operating across complex jurisdictions, and reinforces Dublin’s position as a key centre for aviation leasing and dispute resolution.
Dáil Éireann Discusses Airport Landing Slots at Dublin Airport
On 14 May 2025, the Dáil Éireann addressed a parliamentary question regarding the status of airport landing slots at Dublin Airport for the summer 2025 season. According to the Minister for Transport, airlines submitted 160,919 slot requests for the season (30 March to 26 October 2025), of which 97.1% were allocated as requested. The remaining slots were adjusted and accepted with alternative timings.
The total passenger seat capacity made available through these slots is approximately 28.8 million—marking a 5.2% increase compared to the summer 2024 season. daa expects an additional 1.65 million passenger seats at Dublin Airport across the full year 2025 compared to 2024.Due to a partial stay by the High Court on the IAA’s slot capacity limitation via a passenger cap, there are currently no effective restrictions on capacity at Dublin Airport for the summer 2025 season, with a similar outlook for 2026.
Acumen’s Take:
This parliamentary update reflects a continued strong recovery and growth trajectory for Dublin Airport, underpinned by increasing airline confidence and route expansion. The absence of binding capacity constraints ensures a favourable environment for airlines planning operations in and out of Ireland’s busiest airport, supporting broader national aviation and tourism growth agendas.
AirNav Ireland Appoints Gerald Caffrey as New Chief Executive
AirNav Ireland has officially appointed Gerald Caffrey as its new Chief Executive. Caffrey brings decades of experience and an in-depth understanding of the organisation’s inner workings, having previously served in senior roles such as Director of Technical Services, General Manager Technical Services, and Head of Corporate Affairs.
He began his career as an engineer with the organisation and has since played a pivotal role across multiple technical and strategic functions, both at AirNav Ireland and the former Irish Aviation Authority.
Acumen’s Take:
Gerald Caffrey’s appointment reflects a strong internal succession strategy, ensuring continuity and stability in leadership. His extensive operational knowledge and proven track record in navigating both technical and corporate domains will be instrumental in steering AirNav Ireland’s future plans—particularly as the organisation supports evolving airspace needs and modernisation efforts across Irish aviation.
daa Launches “Elevate ‘25” – a €2 Million School Support Programme for Communities Around Dublin Airport
daa, operator of Dublin Airport, has launched Elevate ‘25, a €2 million one-off school support initiative as part of the airport’s 85th anniversary celebrations. The programme is designed to enhance educational outcomes for both primary and secondary schools in surrounding communities across North Dublin and East Meath.
The funding will support a broad range of initiatives—from environmental and sustainability projects to sports, recreation, health, wellbeing, and social inclusion efforts. All eligible schools across the catchment area—from Rush to Ratoath and Tyrrelstown to Donabate—have been invited to apply for grants via a dedicated online portal.
Acumen’s Take:
This community-focused initiative from daa demonstrates a clear intent to give back to the airport’s surrounding regions while strengthening long-term public goodwill. Beyond infrastructure development, Elevate ‘25 signals how major transport operators can actively contribute to educational equity and broader social development—a growing area of interest for ESG-driven aviation leadership.
Dublin Aerospace Welcomes "A Pathfinder for Irish Aviation" Report
Dublin Aerospace has welcomed the recent publication of "A Pathfinder for Irish Aviation," a strategic report from Irelandia offering a long-term roadmap for revitalising and expanding Ireland’s aviation sector.
As a key player in the MRO industry, Dublin Aerospace expressed strong support for the report’s core recommendations—specifically those advocating for the development of modern hangar infrastructure, increased MRO capacity, and the expansion of apprenticeship programmes to secure the next generation of aviation talent.
Acumen’s Take:
The endorsement from Dublin Aerospace underscores growing industry alignment around the need to future-proof Ireland’s aviation sector. As demand rebounds globally, infrastructure and workforce development are critical. The report’s recommendations—if implemented—will not only bolster MRO capabilities but also help maintain Ireland’s competitiveness as a global aviation hub.
Ryanair Plans Massive Capacity Increase in Germany – Contingent on Political Reforms
Ryanair has presented a comprehensive growth proposal to the German federal government, outlining plans for a significant expansion of its operations across Germany. The airline’s strategy hinges on the introduction of sweeping reforms, particularly reductions in aviation taxes and charges, which Ryanair argues currently hinder competitiveness in the German market.
The proposal reflects Ryanair’s readiness to increase its flight capacity considerably, provided the government moves forward with structural reforms to create a more favourable operating environment.
Acumen’s Take:
Ryanair’s conditional approach to expansion highlights the growing tension between policy and progress in Europe’s aviation sector. By tying growth to tax reforms, Ryanair is pressuring policymakers to align fiscal policies with airline economics—especially in competitive low-cost markets. Germany’s response could set a precedent for how other EU countries balance sustainability targets with airline-driven connectivity and tourism growth.
Tweet Picks
@AviationWeek Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has reaffirmed Airbus’ commitment to launching a new narrowbody around the turn of the decade.
@businessposthq Aer Lingus’s private briefing to government lays out the stakes if night flights are capped.
@RollsRoyce The best widebody engine just got better, introducing the Trent XWB-84 Enhanced Performance. Delivering a 1% improvement on fuel burn for our customers.
@theaircurrent What JFK’s colossal $19 billion redevelopment means for the future of U.S. airports.
Video Picks
American CBP at Dublin Airport Will Always Be a Great Advantage – Kenny Jacobs
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, emphasises the strategic importance of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Dublin Airport. He highlights how it continues to offer a significant edge for transatlantic travellers by streamlining the entry process into the United States, enhancing both convenience and passenger experience.
Acumen’s Take:
As a hub for transatlantic connectivity, Dublin Airport’s CBP facility remains a critical differentiator. It strengthens Ireland’s position in international aviation and adds value for airlines operating long-haul services. For lessors and operators, smoother passenger transit directly supports demand stability and long-term network planning.
The $8B Plan to Make the ‘World's Best Airport’ Even Bigger
This video offers an in-depth look into the ambitious $8 billion expansion of Singapore Changi Airport, often lauded as the world's best. The development includes a new Terminal 5 designed to accommodate an additional 50 million passengers annually, integrating cutting-edge technology, enhanced sustainability features, and seamless passenger experiences.
Acumen’s Take:
Changi’s expansion reinforces Asia’s strategic aviation dominance. With its emphasis on scalability and innovation, the project sets a new benchmark for airport infrastructure. For lessors and OEMs, such developments indicate long-term capacity growth and increased aircraft demand in the region, particularly in widebody and long-haul narrowbody segments.
US-Europe Air Travel Is Recovering, IAG CEO Luis Gallego Says
In this interview, IAG CEO Luis Gallego highlights the strong rebound in transatlantic travel, noting robust demand across both leisure and corporate segments. Gallego points out that while recovery patterns vary by region, the US-Europe corridor is performing particularly well, bolstered by resilient consumer appetite and expanded airline partnerships.
Acumen’s Take:
Gallego’s comments reflect a broader trend of sustained recovery in long-haul travel—a positive indicator for aircraft utilisation and international leasing demand. As transatlantic volumes normalise, lessors can expect a more stable operational landscape, encouraging new lease placements and potentially reigniting widebody transactions in 2025–26.
