24 Jun 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 24th 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: Recent developments highlight continued fleet expansion across Chinese carriers, with multiple new aircraft deliveries taking place in May 2025. Notably, Chinese airlines are actively introducing new-generation widebody and narrowbody aircraft to support growing regional and international demand.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-3-june-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Newsletter: The Indian aviation market remains buoyant with domestic airlines announcing new route launches and expanding their fleet capacity. The latest updates also reflect increased regulatory activity and infrastructure enhancements aimed at supporting long-term growth.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-3-june-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: The leasing sector saw multiple delivery transactions and portfolio adjustments in May 2025. Lessors continue to capitalise on strong demand for modern narrowbody aircraft while also securing long-term lease agreements with airline partners across key global markets.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-3-june-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: Aircraft movement activity remained strong, with notable deliveries, ferry flights, and maintenance visits recorded for both narrowbody and widebody aircraft. These transitions reflect ongoing fleet renewal and optimisation strategies by multiple operators and asset managers.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-3-june-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: May 2025 saw a steady stream of new aircraft deliveries and portfolio acquisitions in North America. Leasing activity remains active, particularly with narrowbody types, while airlines continue to position assets to meet summer travel demand and long-term fleet growth objectives.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-3-june-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
Emerald Airlines Adds 20th ATR72-600
Emerald Airlines, the exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services, has reached a new fleet milestone with the delivery of its 20th ATR72-600 turboprop. The aircraft, registered EI-HPJ (ATR72-212A (600), msn 1181), was delivered on 6 June 2025, arriving in Dublin from Toulouse-Francazal. Previously registered as M-CTRE, the aircraft was sourced from ACIA Aero Capital.
Acumen’s Take
The delivery of Emerald’s 20th ATR72-600 completes its 2025 fleet growth plan, further reinforcing its capacity to serve key regional routes. Acumen continues to track turboprop acquisitions closely, as demand for efficient regional connectivity drives sustained interest in ATR platforms.
Ryanair 737 MAX Deliveries To Resume Post-Summer Season
Ryanair is set to resume deliveries of its Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft after the busy summer 2025 travel season. The group expects to take delivery of the remaining 29 aircraft from its total order of 210 between September and November.
Acumen’s Take
The resumption of MAX 8-200 deliveries reflects Ryanair’s continued fleet modernisation strategy aimed at boosting efficiency and capacity. Acumen monitors these deliveries closely as they impact fleet utilisation, route expansion, and lessor portfolio dynamics across the narrowbody sector.
Two Former Irish Norwegian 737 MAX's Join SunExpress
SunExpress has expanded its fleet with two Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft formerly operated by Irish carrier Norwegian Air International. Registered as TC-SMV and TC-SMZ, both aircraft were delivered on 13 May 2025 and are configured in a 189-seat layout. The aircraft are leased from Dubai-based DAE Capital.
Acumen’s Take
The transition of these 737 MAX units highlights ongoing fleet repositioning activity across lessor portfolios. Acumen actively tracks such secondary market movements, which influence asset valuations, lease placements, and long-term demand for narrowbody aircraft in growth leisure markets like Turkey.
Aircraft Update
LY-SEI Boeing 737-86N Delivered to GetJet Airlines
Boeing 737-86N (c/n 32692), registered as LY-SEI, was delivered to GetJet Airlines on 16 May 2025. The aircraft, previously registered as SU-TMN, will operate from its base in Vilnius.
Acumen’s Take
This delivery supports GetJet Airlines’ operational capacity for seasonal charter and ACMI contracts. Narrowbody additions like LY-SEI remain vital for flexible short-to-medium-haul fleet deployments across European and global markets.
LY-TAP Airbus A320-216 Delivered to GetJet Airlines
Airbus A320-216 (c/n 2842), registered as LY-TAP, has been delivered to GetJet Airlines on 5 June 2024. The aircraft, previously registered as M-ABTN, will operate from its base in Vilnius.
Acumen’s Take
The addition of LY-TAP enhances GetJet Airlines’ narrowbody fleet flexibility, supporting charter and ACMI operations during peak seasonal demand across Europe.
Global Aviation News
Boeing’s Pope: Predictability And Reliability Are The Focus
Ahead of the Paris Air Show, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) remains focused on improving predictability and reliability, despite recent challenges such as the July 12 crash of an Air India 787. The manufacturer has regained momentum with a significant number of new aircraft orders and successfully restored its 737 MAX production rate to 38 aircraft per month.
Acumen’s Take
Boeing’s renewed focus on stability and delivery consistency will be key in rebuilding operator confidence. Restoring production cadence strengthens supply chain reliability and supports lessor and airline planning, especially amid strong global demand for narrowbody capacity.
LOT Polish Airlines Places Its First Ever Airbus Order for 40 A220s
LOT Polish Airlines has placed a landmark order for 40 Airbus A220 aircraft, comprising 20 A220-100s and 20 A220-300s. This represents the carrier’s first Airbus order, signalling a major shift in its fleet modernisation strategy. The deal was announced during the 2025 Paris Air Show and includes the potential for additional orders, bringing total commitments up to 84 A220s in future.
Acumen’s Take
LOT’s entry into the Airbus customer base underscores the growing global appeal of the A220 for regional and medium-haul operations. This move enhances fleet flexibility and efficiency, while signalling potential opportunities for lease placements and asset diversification across the European narrowbody market.
Norwegian to Purchase 11 CFM LEAP-1B Spare Engines
Norwegian has signed an agreement with CFM International for the purchase of 11 LEAP-1B spare engines. These engines are intended to support the carrier’s expanding fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, enhancing operational resilience and fleet flexibility as Norwegian continues to modernise its narrowbody operations.
Acumen’s Take
Norwegian’s acquisition of additional LEAP-1B spares reflects prudent fleet management as the airline scales up its MAX operations. The investment strengthens maintenance capabilities and safeguards utilisation rates, aligning with broader industry trends of building engine pools to ensure schedule stability amid ongoing supply chain challenges.
Turkish Airlines Chairman Talks Fleet Strategy
Turkish Airlines is evaluating its aircraft sourcing options as it works towards its ambitious target of operating a fleet of 800 aircraft by 2033, coinciding with the carrier's 100th anniversary.
Acumen’s Take
Turkish Airlines’ fleet expansion plans reflect long-term growth aspirations aligned with national strategic objectives. Careful sourcing decisions will be critical to balance capacity growth, fleet commonality, and supply chain risks, particularly as global OEM backlogs remain extended.
UniWorld Takes First 737-400F
UniWorld Air Cargo has received its first Boeing 737-400 freighter, marking its second addition to the 737 Classic freighter fleet. The 1998-vintage 737-400SF (MSN 28701), converted by AEI and previously operated by West Atlantic, is leased from Petrus Aviation and managed by Automatic. The aircraft arrived in Panama City on 30 May 2025.
Acumen’s Take
The addition of the 737-400SF supports UniWorld’s expansion in the regional freighter market. Continued demand for classic freighter conversions highlights strong short- to medium-haul cargo opportunities, particularly in emerging markets.
Vietjet to Order 100 Airbus A321neo Aircraft
Vietjet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for 100 A321neo aircraft, with an option for an additional 50 units. The agreement, announced at the Paris Air Show on 17 June 2025, marks a significant expansion plan for Vietnam’s largest private airline.
Acumen’s Take
Vietjet’s large A321neo commitment reflects ongoing strong demand for efficient narrowbody capacity across Asia-Pacific. Such high-volume orders will drive production stability for Airbus and support network growth for Vietjet in both domestic and international markets.
Wizz Air Selects RTX Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines to Power Up to an Additional 177 Airbus A321neo Aircraft
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Wizz Air announced its selection of Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines to power 177 firm Airbus A321neo aircraft, expanding its existing partnership with RTX. This brings Wizz Air’s total GTF-powered fleet commitments to 453 aircraft. The agreement also includes a long-term EngineWise® Comprehensive service contract for engine maintenance support.
Acumen’s Take
Wizz Air’s growing GTF fleet highlights its long-term focus on operational efficiency and sustainability. The scale of this order further solidifies Pratt & Whitney’s position in the high-demand narrowbody engine segment while offering Wizz Air enhanced fuel savings and lower emissions across its expanding network.
Irish Aviation News
Boost for Belfast Factory That Makes Aircraft Parts
Polish carrier LOT has placed an order with Airbus for 40 A220 aircraft (20 A220-100s and 20 A220-300s), with the potential to expand to 84 aircraft in the future. This order provides a significant boost for Belfast, where the wings and part of the fuselage for the A220 are manufactured at Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in East Belfast.
Acumen’s Take
The LOT order directly benefits Northern Ireland’s aerospace sector, ensuring continued production activity at Spirit AeroSystems. Such large-scale narrowbody commitments underscore the A220’s growing importance in the global regional and short-haul market.
Irish Aircraft Register Update May 2025
Emerald Airlines has expanded its Dublin-based fleet with the addition of two ATR72-600 aircraft. EI-HPK was delivered on 19 May, followed by EI-HPJ which arrived from Toulouse-Francazal to Dublin on 6 June.
Acumen’s Take
The ongoing growth of Emerald Airlines’ ATR72-600 fleet strengthens regional connectivity and supports Aer Lingus Regional operations. Continued turboprop acquisitions reflect steady demand for right-sized capacity in short-haul European markets.
ITAA Unveils Cork & Dublin ‘Official Irish Travel Trade Show’ 2026 Dates
The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has announced that the Official Irish Travel Trade Shows 2026 will be held on 22 April at The Metropole Hotel in Cork and on 23 April at The InterContinental Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
Acumen’s Take
These trade shows provide valuable platforms for Ireland’s travel and aviation sectors to strengthen commercial partnerships, showcase new offerings, and drive sectoral growth ahead of the peak travel season.
Irish Visits to USA Slightly Up in May as France Shows Big Drop and Overall US Inbound Down 2.8%
Irish visits to the USA rose by 1.2% in May 2025 compared to May 2024, reaching 89% of pre-pandemic levels. March had seen a 27% drop, but April rebounded by 34% due to a later Easter holiday. Overall, overseas visitor arrivals to the USA were down 2.8% year-on-year to 2.959 million, which represents 84.1% of May 2019 levels.
Acumen’s Take
While the modest rebound in Irish outbound travel to the US is encouraging, the overall decline in international visitor volumes highlights ongoing headwinds in global travel recovery. Such trends remain closely watched by transatlantic operators and network planners.
Ryanair's Irish Business Being Hampered 'By Failed Regulation and Political Inaction', Says Michael O’Leary
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has criticised the regulatory and political environment in Ireland, stating that the airline’s operations in its home market of Dublin are being hindered by “failed regulation and political inaction.”
Acumen’s Take
O’Leary’s remarks underline growing frustration within the airline sector over regulatory delays and infrastructure constraints in Ireland. Policy certainty remains crucial for supporting long-term growth in Ireland’s strategically important aviation industry.
sees.ai Secures BVLOS Regulatory Authorisation from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)
sees.ai has received regulatory approval from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations under PDRA G-03. This authorisation enables sees.ai to conduct BVLOS flights at designated locations across Ireland, expanding its operational capabilities.
Acumen’s Take
The approval marks an important step forward for the integration of advanced drone operations into Irish airspace. It reflects Ireland’s commitment to supporting innovation in unmanned aviation while ensuring safe airspace management.
Tweet Picks
@FutureFlightAIN U.S. start-up JetZero believes it could give Boeing and Airbus a run for their money. The company is poised to shake up the commercial airline market with a novel type of airplane that hardly resembles any aircraft in service today.
@omanair Our newest Dreamliner, A4O-SJ, has arrived in Muscat, marking another milestone in the growth of our fleet. It will soon begin serving key destinations such as Amsterdam, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, and more.
@RAeSTimR "Safety will always be paramount" says @ArcherAviation CEO Adam Goldstein on a WEF panel on 'Scaling Up AAM" #PAS25 #avgeek
@simone_chellini Q&A with @FlyANA_official . The airline keeps an eye on the US tariffs, but has not measured any relevant changes in passenger flow to North America.#Airways #ANA #ParisAirshow
Video Picks
A Holistic Look at Sustainable Aviation Fuel
This video explores Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from multiple perspectives, examining its current production capabilities, future scalability, and role in decarbonising aviation. Industry experts discuss challenges in feedstock availability, production costs, and global policy frameworks needed to support SAF adoption.
Acumen’s Take
The SAF debate highlights both optimism and obstacles as the industry pursues net-zero goals. While SAF remains critical for long-term decarbonisation, scalability hinges on sustained investment, global policy alignment, and innovation in production technologies.
Airbus CEO says momentum in aviation industry 'very strong' despite fall in aircraft orders
Airbus CEO discusses the current state of the aviation industry, noting that despite a recent dip in aircraft orders, overall industry momentum remains robust. Strong global travel demand, fleet renewal programmes, and long-term growth drivers continue to support confidence in sustained aircraft production and deliveries.
Acumen’s Take
The outlook reinforces long-term optimism for manufacturers and lessors, even amid short-term fluctuations in orders. Steady demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft will continue to drive activity across leasing, asset management, and financing segments.
Dubai Airports CEO talks about prioritizing speed & tech upgrades
The CEO of Dubai Airports highlights ongoing efforts to improve passenger experience through faster processing times and advanced technology upgrades. Key priorities include enhancing biometric systems, streamlining check-in and security processes, and investing in digital infrastructure to accommodate rising passenger volumes and maintain Dubai’s hub status.
Acumen’s Take
As global hubs scale up, investments in seamless passenger processing and tech-driven efficiencies become essential. For stakeholders in asset management and infrastructure planning, such upgrades signal growing demand for integrated airport technology solutions that can handle increased traffic while maintaining operational resilience.
