01 May 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 1st 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: Cathay Cargo celebrates Hong Kong’s top cargo hub status, China Eastern aggressively expands into Europe, and China Southern suspends its 787-8 sale amid rising U.S.-China trade tensions.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-april-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Industry Newsletter: Air India Express strengthens Goa operations, FLY91 partners with Paytm to boost regional digital bookings, and IndiGo expands its premium IndiGoStretch service on the Bengaluru–Mumbai route.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-april-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: AerCap strengthens its board leadership, AFG places an A320-214 with Libya’s Buraq Air, and Azorra delivers Mongolia’s first E195-E2 to Hunnu Air, expanding regional leasing activity.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-april-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: New deliveries to Air Astana, JetTime, Red Sea Airlines, and Animawings drive fleet activity, while ASL Airlines and Texel Air expand cargo operations with Boeing 737 freighter movements.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-april-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: Azorra delivers Mongolia’s first E195-E2, MUFG provides a $75 million credit facility to Sun Country Airlines, and Phoenix Aviation Capital secures $300 million PDP financing for Boeing 737 MAX orders.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-april-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
Boeing Delivers 180th 737 MAX to Ryanair Group
Boeing has handed over the 180th 737 MAX aircraft to the Ryanair Group, continuing the airline’s ambitious fleet expansion under its Gamechanger programme. The latest delivery strengthens Ryanair’s position as Europe’s largest 737 MAX operator.
Acumen’s Take
This milestone underscores Ryanair’s aggressive post-pandemic recovery strategy. The fuel-efficient MAX fleet remains central to maintaining its low-cost advantage, route expansion, and sustainable growth targets.
Hunnu Air Takes Delivery of Embraer 195-E2
Hunnu Air has received its latest fleet addition—an Embraer 195-E2 (registration EI-HUN). The aircraft will be deployed to expand the Mongolian carrier’s regional operations across East and Central Asia.
Acumen’s Take
The E2's arrival highlights growing demand for next-generation regional jets in emerging markets. Hunnu’s fleet upgrade positions it to capitalise on intra-Asia travel growth with lower operating costs and enhanced range.
Ryanair Adds Second Challenger 3500 to Business Jet Fleet
Ryanair has added a second Bombardier Challenger 3500 to its corporate jet fleet, further expanding its executive charter offering under Ryanair Corporate Jets.
Acumen’s Take
This move shows Ryanair’s quiet diversification into premium business charters. While LCC operations dominate, selective investment in high-margin corporate travel taps into new revenue streams without diluting the core brand.
Aircraft Update
ASL Airlines Ferries B737 EI-HRG to Dubai for SolitAir Wet-Lease
EI-HRG (c/n 34251), a Boeing 737-86N(F) formerly registered as LZ-GNC, was ferried from Shannon to Dubai World Centre on 17th April 2025. The aircraft is set to begin wet-lease operations with SolitAir.
Acumen’s Take
ASL’s deployment of the 737 freighter under wet-lease terms signals stable demand for short-haul cargo lift in the Middle East. This repositioning also underlines the strategic utility of converted narrowbodies in e-commerce-driven regional logistics.
Nordic Aviation Capital Ferries E190 N351NC to Macon
N351NC (c/n 19000097), an Embraer 190 previously operated as XA-AEL, was ferried to Macon on 17th April 2025 under the management of Nordic Aviation Capital.
Acumen’s Take
The ferrying of mid-life E190s suggests active portfolio repositioning by regional lessors. With regional traffic rebounding, especially in secondary markets across the Americas, assets like the E190 remain a resilient choice for right-sizing capacity.
Global Aviation News
Comac to Source LEAP Engines via Airbus to Avoid US Tariffs
Comac will procure CFM LEAP-1C engines for its C919 narrowbody through Airbus to sidestep US sanctions and tariffs, leveraging Airbus's presence in Tianjin as a delivery intermediary.
Acumen’s Take
This workaround underscores how geopolitics continues to shape aerospace supply chains. For lessors and financiers, it raises new due diligence considerations when backing Chinese OEMs. Acumen’s advisory can help navigate such multi-jurisdictional procurement risks.
Copenhagen Airport Summer Programme Expands to 315 Routes
Copenhagen Airport has unveiled a summer 2025 programme featuring 315 routes, reflecting strong passenger demand and expanded airline participation across Europe and beyond.
Acumen’s Take
The robust schedule highlights Europe’s post-pandemic traffic resurgence and renewed airline confidence. It also suggests elevated short-term lease activity and fleet utilisation—key indicators monitored closely in Acumen’s asset tracking services.
Delta Air Lines Launches Flights to Marrakech and Expands Accra Network
Delta Air Lines has initiated its first-ever service to Marrakech and is expanding its offering to Accra, strengthening its presence in African markets.
Acumen’s Take
Delta’s African network expansion points to shifting airline strategies toward high-potential emerging markets. Lessors evaluating African exposure may find new opportunities, where Acumen’s data-driven insights provide critical risk-reward evaluation.
Freighter Transactions Double in March 2025
March saw a sharp increase in freighter transactions, more than doubling month-on-month, with rising demand driven by logistics growth and long-term P2F conversions.
Acumen’s Take
The surge reflects continued strength in the cargo segment. With more lessors rebalancing portfolios to include P2F assets, Acumen’s expertise in aircraft redelivery management and conversion oversight becomes increasingly valuable.
GOL Concludes Negotiations with Boeing
Brazilian carrier GOL has finalised terms with Boeing, likely paving the way for future fleet adjustments or deliveries following its Chapter 11 filing in the US.
Acumen’s Take
GOL’s resolution signals stability returning to South America’s aviation landscape. For asset owners with exposure to the region, Acumen’s strategic oversight can help align remarketing and restructuring efforts.
Oman Air Restores Double-Daily London Flights from October 2025
Oman Air will resume twice-daily flights to London Heathrow from October 2025 to address rising premium travel and connecting traffic demand.
Acumen’s Take
Long-haul premium demand is making a comeback, especially in Middle East-Europe corridors. Aircraft utilisation and lease rate recovery in widebody segments are poised to benefit from areas where Acumen provides critical performance benchmarking.
Irish Aviation News
CSO Releases Aviation Statistics for Q4 and Full Year 2024
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reported over 36 million passengers passed through Irish airports in 2024—a 13% increase over 2023. The number of flights reached 273,000, reflecting continued aviation recovery.
Acumen’s Take
Passenger and flight growth reaffirm Ireland’s strategic role in European aviation. For lessors and investors, this reinforces confidence in Irish-based asset activity and supports forward-looking fleet and SPV planning managed by Acumen.
Ireland Visits to Portugal Drop in March but Remain Up YoY
Visits from Ireland to Portugal fell 8.3% in March 2025 but were still 69% higher than pre-pandemic levels, indicating robust leisure demand with temporary seasonal adjustments.
Acumen’s Take
Despite short-term dips, the strong year-on-year growth in outbound leisure travel sustains optimism in narrowbody utilisation across EU routes. Acumen closely tracks such demand trends to inform lease remarketing strategies.
Irish Skies Podcast Revisits 1983 Mallow Emergency Landing
The latest Irish Skies Pod episode reflects on the 1983 emergency landing of a Gulfstream II at Mallow Racecourse—one of Irish aviation’s most curious incidents.
Acumen’s Take
While retrospective, stories like Mallow help strengthen aviation awareness and engagement across Ireland. Cultural narratives like these maintain public support for aviation—a soft but relevant factor in policy and growth planning.
Ryanair to Defer Boeing Deliveries if US Tariffs Enforced
Ryanair has warned it may defer upcoming Boeing deliveries if the EU imposes retaliatory tariffs in response to US trade policy, putting potential pressure on 737 MAX schedules.
Acumen’s Take
Trade tensions risk disrupting European fleet renewal plans. Acumen supports lessors and operators in contingency planning by modelling delivery risks and advising on alternative asset allocation strategies.
Two-Thirds of Irish Consumers Yet to Book 2025 Holidays
A recent report suggests 67% of Irish consumers have not yet booked holidays for 2025, reflecting either booking caution or a shift toward later planning windows.
Acumen’s Take
Delayed bookings may compress seasonal capacity planning for carriers, impacting lease term negotiations and ACMI requirements. Acumen’s advisory services help navigate such behavioural shifts through fleet planning agility.
Tweet Picks
@business The UK government has sent out a path to approving an expansion of London’s Gatwick airport, despite an initial refusal from the planning authorities.
@flightradar24 The first A380 with MSN 001 is up and flying for the third time this year.
@NACC_CNLA NACC member airlines have committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We’ll need Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to get there.
@sandeeprrao1991 Virgin Atlantic Celebrates a Successful One Year of Daily Direct London to Bengaluru Flights with Strong Passenger Growth and carrying more than 140,000 passengers #Avgeek #BLR #LHR #MAA #HYD.
Video Picks
Boeing CEO Targets Positive Free Cash Flow in H2 2025
In a recent interview, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun stated the company is on track to generate positive free cash flow in the second half of 2025, despite ongoing production challenges and regulatory scrutiny.
Acumen’s Take
Boeing’s financial stabilisation is vital for market confidence, particularly among lessors and financiers with significant MAX exposure. Acumen closely monitors OEM recovery signals to support asset valuation strategies and forward lease pricing.
Uganda Airlines CEO Highlights Regional Growth and Trade Integration
Jenifer Bamuturaki, CEO of Uganda Airlines, discussed East Africa’s aviation potential, highlighting the importance of regional trade, fleet expansion, and stronger air connectivity to fuel future growth.
Acumen’s Take
Emerging African carriers are shaping a new wave of regional aviation. Strategic fleet planning, supported by asset managers like Acumen, will be critical as these markets demand aircraft aligned with both capacity and infrastructure realities.
United Airlines Issues Dual Q2 Guidance Amid Recession Fears
United Airlines released two sets of guidance for Q2 2025—one assuming continued growth, and another in case of an economic downturn, showing preparedness for volatility in demand.
Acumen’s Take
United’s dual-scenario planning reflects a wider industry trend: preparing for uncertainty while sustaining operations. Acumen’s forecasting and risk modelling services can assist lessors and airlines in developing resilient, data-driven fleet strategies.
