26 Aug 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 26th August 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:
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IrishAero News
Aer Lingus Takes Delivery of Eighth Airbus A320neo
Aer Lingus has welcomed its eighth Airbus A320neo, registered EI-NSH and named McCuilinn, as part of its ongoing fleet renewal programme. The A320-251N (MSN 12663) arrived in Dublin from Toulouse on 31 July and entered service on 7 August, operating the Dublin–Faro route. Configured with 186 seats, the aircraft will primarily serve short-haul routes such as London Heathrow and other major European destinations, supporting Aer Lingus’s commitment to fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
ASL Aviation Leases A330 Freighters to Saudia Cargo
ASL Aviation Holdings has leased two Airbus A330-300P2F freighters to Saudia Cargo, expanding the Saudi carrier’s long-haul cargo capacity. The first aircraft, MSN 1272, has already joined the fleet under a wet lease agreement, with the partnership aimed at boosting global freight connectivity. The deal underscores both companies’ strategic focus on strengthening air cargo capabilities amid sustained demand in international logistics.
Belfast based 247 Aviation Announces Major Strategic Expansion
Belfast-based 247 Aviation has announced a major strategic expansion backed by a £7.98 million investment from parent company SERE Holdings. The funding will support the acquisition of two additional Learjet 45 aircraft and the opening of a new satellite base in southern England. This growth will significantly enhance the company’s capacity to provide rapid-response, consultant-led medical transport services across the UK and Ireland.
EI-FPV CRJ900 Cityjet Departs Fleet
CityJet has completed the transfer of its Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR, registered EI-FPN (MSN 15440) and named Trud Viking, marking the aircraft’s departure from the fleet. On 12–13 August 2025, it was ferried from Valencia to Dayton International Airport, routing via Keflavik, Goose Bay, and Toronto. The jet will join PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, where it will enter service as N647NN under the American Eagle brand.
Aircraft Update
Ryanair Takes Delivery of 187th 737-8200
Ryanair has expanded its fleet with the delivery of a Boeing 737-8200, registered EI-IKT (MSN 62392), on 18 August 2025. The aircraft arrived from Boeing Field to Dublin, becoming the airline’s 187th unit of the type. This addition continues Ryanair’s commitment to operating one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in Europe, supporting cost efficiency and capacity growth across its extensive network.
Orix Aviation Ferries A320 to Ostrava
Orix Aviation has ferried an Airbus A320-214, registered OE-IEB (MSN 7816), to Ostrava on 17 August 2025. The aircraft, formerly operating as JA13VA, is expected to undergo transition work in preparation for future placement. This movement reflects Orix Aviation’s active role in aircraft remarketing and asset management within the global leasing sector.
Global Aviation News
airBaltic Names Erno Hildén as CEO
airBaltic’s Supervisory Board has appointed Erno Hildén as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 December 2025. A Finnish national, Hildén brings over 25 years of international aviation and finance experience, most recently serving as EVP and CFO of SAS, where he played a key role in the carrier’s transformation and capital raise. His previous leadership roles include senior positions at Saudi Arabian Airlines Group and Finnair, where he served as CFO, COO, and Executive Board member.
Airbus’ A330neo gets better and better. Part 3
A fresh analysis of Airbus’s A330neo family highlights the evolution of the A330-200 into the A330-800, the smaller sibling of the A330-900. Unlike the usual industry pattern of stretching aircraft, Airbus developed the shorter -200 to fill a market niche requiring longer range with lower capacity. The A330-800 continues this positioning within the A330neo programme, offering airlines a versatile long-haul option where efficiency and flexibility outweigh maximum seating capacity.
Air Lease Delivers Two A321neos to China Airlines
Air Lease Corporation has delivered two additional Airbus A321-200neo aircraft to China Airlines on long-term lease from its Airbus orderbook. The aircraft, handed over on 16 and 20 August 2025, bring the total number of A321neos delivered by Air Lease to the Taiwan-based carrier to eight. The transaction underscores both companies’ commitment to fleet modernisation and the growing importance of fuel-efficient narrowbodies in regional and medium-haul markets.
ATSG Delivers Second A330 Converted Freighter to ULS Airlines Cargo
Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) has delivered its second Airbus A330 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft to Istanbul-based ULS Airlines Cargo. The widebody conversion enhances ULS’s long-haul freight capacity, reflecting the growing demand for A330P2F aircraft in global cargo markets. The delivery underscores ATSG’s role as a leading provider of cargo leasing and air transport solutions, supporting operators’ efforts to expand capacity and improve efficiency.
Austin-Bergstrom Completes First ‘Journey With AUS’ Expansion Project
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has completed its International Arrivals Improvements Project, the first major milestone in the airport’s Journey With AUS expansion programme. The project upgrades the Barbara Jordan Terminal’s international arrivals and baggage claim facilities, streamlining passenger processing and boosting capacity. The development reflects AUS’s commitment to modernising infrastructure to meet Central Texas’s rapidly growing domestic and international travel demand.
Boeing 777-9 Begins Runway Performance Tests at Edwards AFB
Boeing’s 777-9 programme has reached a new milestone with the return of WH001, the first 777X development aircraft, to Edwards Air Force Base on 14 August 2025. The aircraft is undergoing takeoff performance testing, a critical step in the certification campaign. The tests mark continued progress toward entry into service, as Boeing works to validate the 777-9’s performance and readiness for commercial operations.
Emirates Bans Inflight Use of Power Banks from October
Emirates has announced new safety measures prohibiting the use of power banks onboard its flights, effective 1 October 2025. While customers may still carry one power bank subject to specific conditions, these devices cannot be used to charge electronic equipment or be recharged via the aircraft’s power supply during flight. The rule reflects Emirates’ focus on passenger safety and fire risk mitigation, aligning with broader industry efforts to manage lithium battery-related hazards.
Irish Aviation News
‘Being criticised by Irish Times columnists is always a compliment’ – O’Leary Slams €20bn MetroLink Plan as “Mad, Bad Project”
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has branded the proposed €20 billion Dublin MetroLink as “an unjustifiable waste” of taxpayer money. He argued that the project would serve only a narrow section of Dublin’s population and offer limited benefit to airport passengers. His remarks add fuel to ongoing debates around Ireland’s transport infrastructure priorities and the value of large-scale investment in the MetroLink scheme.
CDB Aviation Begins 737 MAX 8 Deliveries to Turkish Airlines
CDB Aviation, the Irish subsidiary of CDB Leasing, has delivered the first two of twelve Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Turkish Airlines. The handovers, announced on 14 August 2025 in Seattle, mark the start of a series of deliveries set to expand the flag carrier’s narrowbody fleet. The agreement reinforces the long-standing partnership between CDB Aviation and Turkish Airlines, supporting the airline’s continued growth and fleet modernisation strategy.
Dublin Airport Reports Strong July Traffic and Canadian Focus
Dublin Airport has released its July traffic update, highlighting robust passenger volumes and the five most popular destinations served from the hub. The report also spotlights Canada, a key transatlantic market, where growing demand and strong connections continue to underpin performance. With capacity rising and passenger flows strengthening, Canada remains an important focus for Dublin Airport’s long-haul strategy.
France aviation: Ryanair cuts winter seats by 13% due to “excessive” air tax
Ryanair has announced a 13% reduction in its French winter 2025 capacity, citing the government’s decision not to reverse what it calls an “excessive” air tax, increased by 180% in March 2025. The airline has a history of adjusting or threatening capacity cuts in markets where costs rise sharply, including taxes, duties, or airport charges. In France’s price-sensitive regional markets, profitability is particularly vulnerable during the winter season, amplifying the impact of higher charges.
National Policy Framework for Drones Launched in Ireland
Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, has unveiled the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The framework aims to guide the strategic development of the drone sector, recognising both the opportunities for innovation in commercial and public services and the challenges posed by rapid technological growth. The policy underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring safe, sustainable, and well-regulated expansion of UAS activity across Ireland.
Ryanair Presses EU for ATC Reform After Athens Delays
Ryanair has renewed its call for urgent reform of Europe’s air traffic control (ATC) system following an equipment failure at Athens ATC Centre on 20 August. The disruption delayed 12 Ryanair flights and impacted more than 2,000 passengers. The airline is urging the European Commission to accelerate measures that improve resilience and efficiency across Europe’s ATC network, citing repeated disruptions that undermine reliability for airlines and travellers alike.
Tourism Ireland Scores with US College Football Opener
Tourism Ireland is capitalising on the 2025 US College Football season opener between Kansas State and Iowa State at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 23 August. The event is expected to attract over 24,000 international visitors, including up to 22,000 from the United States, who will spend an average of seven nights across Ireland. According to Grant Thornton, the influx will generate around €130 million for the economy, showcasing the power of sports tourism in boosting air travel and regional tourism.
Tweet Picks
@ArcherAviation We continue to be focused in the near term on ramping our production capabilities to achieve rate of 50 aircraft per year across our ~700,000 square feet of manufacturing and test facilities. The Midnight aircraft we build during this new product introduction phase will be used in certification and early commercial deployments.
@ArcherAviation We currently have six Midnight aircraft in various stages of production, three of which are in final assembly at our Covington, Georgia and Silicon Valley facilities. In parallel, the @FAANews continued conducting reviews and inspections of our manufacturing operations as part of our production certificate efforts that have been underway since January.
@AviationWeek #RoutesWorld 2025 Speaker Announcement! Kenny Jacobs, CEO at #DAA, will join us for an exclusive #FiresideChat to discuss airport infrastructure as the engine for economic growth. Jacobs brings us his knowledge and expertise from years in the industry, including 6 years at #Ryanair.
@BoeingAirplanes With more than 4,000 flight hours, the 777-9 fleet is demonstrating its capabilities in key tests like crosswind landings, braking on wet and dry runways and taking off at high and low speeds. Hear from 777X Chief Pilot Ted Grady and check out these airplanes in action.
Video Picks
United’s Luc Bondar on App Design Success
In a recent video, Luc Bondar highlights the user experience (UX) features that have made United Airlines’ mobile app award-winning. He points to intuitive design, seamless booking and check-in processes, and personalised digital services as key factors driving customer engagement. The discussion underscores how technology and UX innovation are becoming central to airline strategies for enhancing passenger loyalty and convenience.
United’s Mike Petrella on Evolving Loyalty Strategy
In this video, Mike Petrella of United Airlines discusses how a fresh perspective is reshaping the carrier’s loyalty programme. He highlights initiatives aimed at enhancing customer value, simplifying reward structures, and leveraging data-driven insights to personalise engagement. The conversation reflects a broader industry trend where loyalty is shifting from transactional rewards to deeper, experience-led relationships with passengers.
Lufthansa Group’s Retail Transformation
In this video, Puck Voorneveld outlines how Lufthansa Group is reshaping its end-to-end retail strategy. She emphasises a shift toward greater personalisation, seamless digital platforms, and improved ancillary sales integration across the customer journey. The approach highlights how major airline groups are evolving beyond traditional distribution models to deliver a more retail-focused, customer-centric travel experience.
Acumen’s Take
The latest developments highlight an industry balancing growth momentum with operational resilience, financial discipline, and regulatory shifts. Fleet deliveries, refinancing, and airport expansion point to sustained confidence in long-term demand, while airlines and lessors continue to focus on efficiency and modernisation. At the same time, infrastructure debates, evolving safety policies, and digital transformation illustrate how the sector is adapting to future challenges. Aviation remains firmly positioned as a driver of connectivity, innovation, and economic opportunity worldwide.
