25 Sep 2026
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 25th September 2026
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:
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IrishAero News
Aer Lingus Deploys A330-300 Capacity on Selected Dublin–Italy Services
Aer Lingus has used 317-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft on selected Dublin–Italy services to provide additional capacity in response to demand. One-off Dublin–Rome flights on 9 and 19 September 2026 were operated by EI-EDY, MSN 1025, and EI-EIK, MSN 0789, replacing the usual 174-seat Airbus A320-200. EI-EIK was also deployed on a Dublin–Verona service on 12 September. The substitutions highlight Aer Lingus’ ability to flex widebody capacity across short-haul routes when demand warrants larger aircraft.
IrishAero Commercial Aircraft Report Highlights Global Fleet Movements
The 21 September IrishAero Commercial Aircraft Report highlights a mix of aircraft deliveries, freighter movements and registration changes across several markets. Air Sial received Airbus A320-232 AP-BPO in Karachi, while Fly One took delivery of Airbus A321-211 ER-00015 in Chisinau. Freighter activity included ASL Airlines France Boeing 737-8AS(F) F-HIQJ, K-Mile Air Boeing 737-8AS(F) HS-KMF and Jupiter Jet Boeing 757-223(F) N195AN. Ireland-linked movements included AJet Boeing 737-8F2 TC-JFN positioning from Istanbul to Ireland West Airport and Boeing 737-8AL 2-AOIF being registered at Shannon, reflecting continued transition and repositioning activity across the commercial fleet market.
Ryanair Increases Ireland West Airport–Liverpool Weekend Frequency
Ryanair will increase frequency on its Ireland West Airport–Liverpool route during the winter season, adding double-daily services on Saturdays and Sundays. The airline will operate 10 weekly flights between the two airports using Liverpool-based Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft, configured with 189 and 198 seats respectively. The additional weekend capacity strengthens connectivity between the west of Ireland and Liverpool, supporting both leisure travel and short-break demand.
Aircraft Update
B-229L Boeing 737-8 Delivered to China Southern
China Southern has taken delivery of Boeing 737-8 B-229L, MSN 62954. The aircraft was routed from Boeing Field to Guangzhou via Honolulu and Guam between 23 and 25 September 2026.
A6-FDK Boeing 737-8 Delivered to flydubai
flydubai has taken delivery of Boeing 737-8 A6-FDK, MSN 64889. The aircraft was routed from Boeing Field to Dubai via Shannon between 23 and 25 September 2026.
Global Aviation News
KM Malta Airlines and SNCF Add Train Connections Across France and to Brussels
KM Malta Airlines and SNCF Voyageurs have launched a Train plus Air partnership through Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Lyon Saint-Exupéry airports. Passengers will be able to combine KM Malta Airlines flights with TGV INOUI and OUIGO rail services on one booking. The service will connect Malta with destinations beyond Paris and Lyon, including locations across France and Brussels. Combined journeys will be available through the airline’s website and app.
STARLUX and American Airlines Launch Codeshare Across 20 US Destinations
STARLUX Airlines and American Airlines have launched a codeshare linking STARLUX transpacific flights with American’s US domestic network. Tickets are available for combined journeys through Los Angeles and Phoenix, covering 20 US destinations. Phoenix connections include Albuquerque, Austin, Boston and Washington Reagan National, while Los Angeles connections include New York JFK and Miami. Eight destinations, including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth and Philadelphia, can be reached through either gateway.
AirBorneo Signs Four-Year Engine Services Agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada has signed a four-year agreement with AirBorneo Airways for maintenance, repair and overhaul services on PW127M engines through 2030. The engines power AirBorneo’s ATR 72-500 fleet. The aircraft operate on Malaysia’s Rural Air Services network, connecting remote and underserved communities across East Malaysia.
ATR names Leonardo executive Della Bella as new CEO
ATR has appointed Vittorio Lorenzo Della Bella as chief executive from 1 November, succeeding Nathalie Tarnaud Laude. He is currently President of Leonardo Helicopters U.S. and has held senior roles across customer support, programme management, business development and international cooperation. He previously led a 2,500-person organisation supporting more than 4,500 helicopters and 1,300 customers.
United Takes First GTF Advantage-Powered Airbus A321XLR
United Airlines has become the first carrier to take delivery of an aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engines. The Airbus A321XLR was delivered with the manufacturer’s latest propulsion standard. Pratt & Whitney says the engine offers up to twice the time on wing and an increase of 4–8 per cent in take-off thrust. The aircraft will support United’s development of its long-haul narrowbody network.
MRO Asia-Pacific: ST Engineering and Collins Aerospace expand component MRO collaboration
ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business and Collins Aerospace have signed three multi-year agreements covering aircraft component repair and support. The agreements introduce a new collaboration for Boeing 787 component repairs. They also extend existing arrangements for OEM spare parts procurement and lifecycle repair support across several aircraft platforms.
PAM APAC 2026: Predictive maintenance must look ‘beyond sensor data’
Predictive aircraft maintenance should use operational flight data alongside component-level sensor readings, according to Shawn Lee, head of customer success management Asia at Skywise. Speaking at the PAM APAC conference in Singapore, Lee said isolated sensor data provides only part of the information needed to understand component degradation. The Skywise approach focuses on combining wider operational data with component information to improve predictive maintenance analysis.
Duffy: U.S. Needs Another 30 billion US dollars To Fund New ATC, Airports
The Trump administration is seeking a further 30 billion US dollars for National Airspace System modernisation, covering airport infrastructure and air traffic control upgrades. An earlier request was around 30 billion US dollars, of which Congress provided 12.5 billion US dollars last year. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA officials have described that funding as a first step towards a new air traffic control system. The current programme includes upgrades to communications, radios, radars and other infrastructure.
Spirit Airlines Sells Final 27 Aircraft for 668 Million US Dollars
A bankruptcy court has approved the sale of Spirit Airlines’ final 27 owned aircraft for 668 million US dollars. Save 2026-B LLC (Limited Liability Company) will acquire 23 Airbus A320ceo and A321ceo (Current Engine Option) aircraft for 567.4 million US dollars using debt credits. FTAI Aviation Ltd. will buy the remaining four A321s for 100.7 million US dollars in cash. All 27 aircraft are V2500-powered narrowbodies built between 2015 and 2018 and will be sold with their engines and records. Spirit owned 48 aircraft when it filed for bankruptcy, later stopped flying on 2 May and rejected its remaining leases by 8 May. Advisers contacted 137 potential buyers and received eight bids, resulting in the final split sale between the two buyers.
Oman Air Expands Lufthansa Codeshare to Additional Polish Routes
Oman Air plans to expand its codeshare partnership with Lufthansa from 25 September 2026. The additional routes will cover Frankfurt–Gdansk, Frankfurt–Poznan, Frankfurt–Wroclaw and Munich–Wroclaw. The services will be operated by Lufthansa under the expanded codeshare arrangement.
Connecting Alaska: Why Aleutian Airways Chose the ATR
Aleutian Airways has selected ATR aircraft as part of its longer-term fleet strategy for operations in Alaska. Established in 2022, the airline currently operates five Saab 2000s, one ATR 42-600 and one ATR 72-600. The carrier is preparing for its next phase of growth, with the ATR forming part of its approach to serving Alaska’s demanding regional operating environment.
Irish Aviation News
Belfast’s two airports' growth falls below 1pc in July
Belfast’s two airports handled around 925,000 passengers in July, representing an increase of one per cent compared with July 2025 and 3.3 per cent above pre-pandemic levels. Belfast International Airport handled around 693,000 passengers, a decrease of 0.1 per cent year on year but 8.5 per cent above pre-pandemic levels. The rolling annual total across both airports was around 8.6 million passengers, representing a decrease of 5.2 per cent compared with the previous 12-month period.
Ryanair Launches Winter Seat Sale with Fares from under 20 Euros
Ryanair has launched a short-term winter seat sale covering selected services to destinations including Spain, Italy and France. Fares from Dublin start at 14.99 euros to some cities in England, with the promotion ending at midnight on 23 September. Separately, the airline confirmed capacity reductions involving hundreds of thousands of seats in Estonia and Lithuania this winter, which it linked to higher airport charges.
KLM offers more capacity and renewed fleet this winter
KLM will operate to 164 destinations during its winter schedule from 25 October to 27 March. The programme includes additional capacity to popular holiday destinations, the return of several seasonal routes and the introduction of the airline’s first Airbus A350. KLM said the schedule is designed to provide greater capacity and a renewed fleet for winter operations.
Fexco Combines PACE with RDC Aviation to create global aviation data and sustainability platform
Irish-headquartered Fexco has announced an all-share strategic combination bringing its PACE aviation sustainability platform together with RDC Aviation. The transaction combines aviation sustainability, data and market intelligence capabilities within a single global platform. The business will serve airlines, airports, aircraft lessors, financial institutions, underwriters and corporate travel managers.
Jet2 Recognised in ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards
Jet2 has been named Value Airline of the Year in the Air Transport World (ATW) Airline Industry Achievement Awards. The award recognises the airline’s focus on customer service, reliable operations, customer-friendly policies and value across its flying programme. Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy said the recognition reflects the airline’s approach to value as a combination of price, service, operational reliability and customer choice.
daa Records Strong First-Half Performance and Continues to Invest for Future Growth
daa reported 19.6 million passengers across Dublin and Cork airports during the first six months of 2026. This represents an increase of one million passengers, or five per cent, compared with the same period in 2025. daa said the performance was supported by continued passenger growth and resilient commercial activity across its airport portfolio.
Ryanair Adds Sixth Aircraft At Liverpool For Winter 2026
Ryanair will base a sixth aircraft at Liverpool John Lennon Airport for winter 2026, representing an investment of 600 million US dollars. The additional aircraft will provide 100,000 extra seats, an increase of 11 per cent, and support six new routes to Milan Bergamo, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Porto, Tirana and Warsaw. Frequencies will also increase on services to Krakow, Kaunas and Cork, while Ryanair says its Liverpool operations support more than 2,130 local jobs.
Ryanair Launches Winter 2026 UK Schedule with 435 Routes
Ryanair has launched its Winter 2026 UK schedule with 435 routes, including new Stansted services to Glasgow, Malmo and Parma, and a new Luton–Venice route. The programme also includes 18 new routes from 19 other UK airports. The airline has called for Air Passenger Duty to be abolished; from April 2026, the reduced Band A rate is 15 pounds per passenger. Ryanair has also raised concerns about plans allowing mayors and local leaders to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy on accommodation, while the government says the measure is intended to support local investment and tourism.
IATA Board Appoints Saadia Zahidi as Director General
The International Air Transport Association has appointed Saadia Zahidi as Director General from 1 November 2026. She will become IATA’s ninth Director General and the first woman to hold the position. Zahidi joins from the World Economic Forum, where she serves as a Managing Director and member of the Managing Board.
X Picks
@ATWOnline: @Finnair will operate up to 3X-daily flights between Helsinki and Tokyo during the peak summer 2027 season as it continues to expand capacity to Japan.
@sn26567: STARLUX and American launch codeshare covering 20 US destinations
@sn26567: Ostend-Bruges Airport receives new environmental permit
@ATWOnline: @emirates operates 150+ destinations with the world's largest #A380 and #777 fleets, carrying 53.2M passengers and posting record $35.7B revenue in FY25-26.
@airwaysmagazine: ATR’s Board Members have appointed the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, Vittorio Lorenzo Della Bella, effective November 1st, 2026. Vittorio Lorenzo succeeds Nathalie Tarnaud Laude following the terms set by ATR’s bylaws.
Video Picks
Airlines Cutting Flights as Jet Fuel Costs Soar
The video looks at how rising jet fuel costs are affecting airline operations and network planning. It explores why some carriers are reducing flights as higher fuel expenses place additional pressure on operating costs.
ATR Unveils Three-Class Cabin Mock-up
The video showcases ATR’s new three-class cabin mock-up and how the regional aircraft manufacturer is approaching cabin flexibility. It highlights options for airlines looking to offer different passenger products within a turboprop configuration.
COMAC Could Change Aviation Without Beating Boeing or Airbus
The video examines COMAC’s growing role in commercial aviation and how its development could influence the wider aircraft manufacturing market. It considers the company’s potential impact without framing success solely around overtaking Boeing or Airbus.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Holds Press Conference in London
The video covers a London press conference held by Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary. It provides direct commentary from the airline on current business and aviation issues discussed during the event.
Acumen’s Take
The latest DAB reflects an aviation market shaped by network expansion, fleet planning and continued investment in maintenance and operational support. Airlines are balancing capacity growth with cost pressures, while MRO capability, predictive maintenance and data-led decision-making are becoming increasingly important. Connectivity strategies are also evolving through new routes, codeshares and integrated travel options. Across the sector, disciplined asset management, operational efficiency and long-term infrastructure investment remain central to supporting sustainable growth.
