16 May 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 16th May 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: Covers the latest on China’s aircraft orders, OEM partnerships, and regulatory shifts amid a rebound in domestic and international traffic.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-may-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Newsletter: Highlights include airline performance, traffic growth data, and regional fleet expansion supported by government-backed connectivity schemes.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-may-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: Focuses on portfolio movements, SPV updates, and new leasing mandates from Dublin-based lessors managing global assets.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-may-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: Provides data on aircraft deliveries, lease transitions, and commercial operator activity involving Irish-registered aircraft.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-may-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: Covers fleet renewal trends, airline earnings, regulatory changes, and cargo dynamics in the US and Canada.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-2-may-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
Aer Lingus Deploys A321XLR on Emerald Airlines’ DUB–EDI Route
Aer Lingus has operated an A321XLR on Emerald Airlines’ Dublin–Edinburgh service, marking a unique upgauge for the typically regional route.
Acumen’s Take
While likely a one-off or positioning move, this highlights fleet flexibility and operational integration within the Aer Lingus Group. Acumen tracks such upgauge events to assess utilisation strategy across asset classes.
EgyptAir to Increase Cairo–Dublin Flights
EgyptAir is set to boost capacity on the Cairo–Dublin route, following growing passenger demand and strong load factors.
Acumen’s Take
Cairo–Dublin expansion reflects deepening MENA-Ireland connectivity. Acumen supports lessors in assessing long-haul market demand shifts that may drive future widebody lease requirements.
Pegasus Airlines Enhances Istanbul–Dublin Service
Pegasus Airlines will increase frequencies on the Istanbul–Dublin route, signalling growing low-cost demand between Ireland and Türkiye.
Acumen’s Take
Expanded LCC presence reinforces Dublin’s positioning as a key European gateway. Acumen closely watches LCC fleet movements to inform remarketing strategies and route-based lease planning.
Aircraft Update
ACIA Aero Capital Ferries ATR72 2-STEF to Johannesburg
2-STEF (c/n 1076), an ATR72-212A(600), was ferried to Johannesburg on 17th April 2025 under ACIA Aero Capital, likely for redeployment or placement within the African regional market.
Acumen’s Take
This move highlights continued demand for turboprops across African regional routes. Acumen supports lessors with asset transition management and regional fleet placement strategies.
Malaysia Airlines Ferries A330 9M-MTV to Lourdes
9M-MTV (c/n 822), an Airbus A330-223 formerly registered as EI-GFI, was ferried from Kuala Lumpur to Lourdes on 29th April 2025, potentially for storage or phase-out.
Acumen’s Take
Fleet exits like this reflect evolving widebody strategies in Asia-Pacific. Acumen tracks such movements to inform end-of-life planning, secondary market opportunities, and P2F potential.
Global Aviation News
Atlas Air Ends Amazon 767 CMI Operations
Atlas Air has concluded its CMI (Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operations for Amazon’s Boeing 767 fleet, ending a major long-term cargo partnership.
Acumen’s Take
The end of this agreement reflects strategic shifts in e-commerce logistics. Acumen advises clients on redeployment strategies and market repositioning for mid-life freighters post-CMI.
Avmax Acquires Aircraft from Qantas, Strengthens Skytrans Partnership
Avmax has announced strategic aircraft acquisitions from Qantas, reinforcing its commitment to regional fleet growth and expanding its partnership with Skytrans.
Acumen’s Take
This move supports the regional aviation rebound in Australia. Acumen provides support in asset due diligence, lease structuring, and redeployment for legacy fleet types in secondary markets.
Avion Express Searches for CEO for New Mexican ACMI Airline
Avion Express has begun recruitment for the CEO of its upcoming ACMI airline in Mexico, indicating progress in its Latin American expansion strategy.
Acumen’s Take
ACMI demand in the Americas is growing rapidly. Acumen tracks market entries and offers advisory services for new airline launches, including fleet planning and regulatory readiness.
Avfuel Adds Four Rivers Aviation to Branded FBO Network
Avfuel has welcomed Four Rivers Aviation to its branded network, expanding fuel and service offerings at regional U.S. airports.
Acumen’s Take
FBO expansion reflects business aviation’s continued strength in the U.S. Acumen monitors infrastructure partnerships that affect executive travel and aircraft support services.
Norse Atlantic Cuts Routes to Refocus on ACMI Operations
Norse Atlantic Airways is reducing scheduled routes to prioritise its ACMI strategy, aligning with seasonal demand and asset optimisation.
Acumen’s Take
ACMI flexibility is increasingly crucial for long-haul operators. Acumen supports dynamic fleet strategies through lease placement tracking and ACMI market insights.
Irish Aviation News
Avolon Appoints Linda Hickey to Board as Non-Executive Director
Avolon has named Linda Hickey, a respected Irish capital markets expert, to its Board of Directors as a non-executive director, further strengthening its governance structure.
Acumen’s Take
This appointment reflects Avolon’s continued commitment to strategic leadership and corporate oversight. Acumen monitors board-level changes as part of its governance risk and stakeholder confidence tracking.
Fly-In Announced at Lough Sheelin Airfield – 24th May
A fly-in event has been announced at Lough Sheelin Airfield for 24th May 2025, encouraging general aviation participation and community engagement.
Acumen’s Take
Grassroots aviation events play a vital role in sustaining local flying culture. Acumen supports such activity through its engagement with aviation education and regional airfield viability analysis.
IAA Endorses Remote ID for Drones to Improve Public Safety
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has endorsed drone remote identification as a regulatory standard to enhance airspace awareness and public safety.
Acumen’s Take
Drone regulation continues to evolve. Acumen tracks developments in UAS integration and supports clients exploring commercial drone operations, DaaS models, and compliance frameworks.
CityJet Placed Under Interim Examinership Amid Financial Distress
Interim examiners have been appointed to the insolvent CityJet following an urgent court application, raising uncertainty about the airline’s future.
Acumen’s Take
CityJet’s situation highlights ongoing challenges for regional operators. Acumen assists stakeholders in crisis evaluation, asset risk assessment, and fleet redeployment scenarios.
Visit Belfast and Belfast International Airport Launch Tourism Partnership
Visit Belfast and Belfast International Airport have formed a new partnership to promote tourism, route development, and collaborative marketing efforts.
Acumen’s Take
Public-private collaboration like this boosts airport route viability. Acumen integrates tourism partnerships into traffic forecasting and airline partnership strategy advisory.
Tweet Picks
@aviator_aero Turkish Airlines has joined the race to acquire a stake in Air Europa.
@jonostrower Major development inside Boeing today: Brian Yutko is leaving Wisk as its CEO to become vice president of product development for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, representing a generational changing of the guard inside the plane maker.
@qatarairways #QatarAirways is enhancing connectivity to the Americas with increased frequencies to Toronto and São Paulo. Starting 19 June 2025, Toronto will be served five times weekly, while São Paulo expands to 17 weekly flights from 25 June 2025.
@SimonCalder Heathrow explains why it has the highest charges of any airport:London has the most expensive building costs in the world, over 2x cost in Madrid. Building anything in a constrained area is expensive. More than the average proportion of long-haul flights.
Video Picks
DOT to Address Newark Airport Issues: Here’s What to Know
The U.S. Department of Transportation is stepping in to tackle ongoing challenges at Newark Liberty International Airport, including delays, congestion, and slot management.
Acumen’s Take
Regulatory intervention at major hubs can impact slot access and airline scheduling. Acumen monitors such developments to support lease planning and network strategy alignment for carriers operating in constrained markets.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Is Key to Decarbonisation, Says GenZero CEO
Frederick Teo, CEO of GenZero, underscores the critical role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in achieving net-zero aviation, calling for increased investment and regulatory support.
Acumen’s Take
SAF adoption is central to ESG compliance and future asset valuation. Acumen integrates sustainability factors into fleet advisory and transition planning services for lessors and operators.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces Air Traffic Control Overhaul
Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced a major modernisation of the U.S. air traffic control system, aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and capacity across the national airspace.
Acumen’s Take
ATC modernisation is essential for unlocking airspace capacity and reducing delays. Acumen factors such infrastructure changes into traffic growth modelling and airport capacity forecasting.
