28 May 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 28th 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 Pacific celebrated its first batch of cadet pilots trained entirely in-house, while China Southern became the Asia-Pacific launch customer for RECARO’s R3 economy seat. East Midlands Airport also announced a key cargo partnership with China’s YunExpress and Central Airlines, strengthening China–UK logistics links.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-may-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Newsletter: Air India introduced dedicated ‘Family Assistance’ counters at Delhi Airport to support families and special-needs travellers. BIAL partnered with KPMG to integrate Generative AI into airport operations, and IndiGo expanded its UAE footprint with new flights from Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam to Abu Dhabi.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-may-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: AELF acquired an A330-200 from Avolon on lease to Hawaiian Airlines; Azorra delivered its first A220-300 to Croatia Airlines; and Avolon appointed Linda Hickey as Independent Director and Audit Chair, strengthening its board's governance expertise.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-may-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: Deliveries and movements included Hunnu Air’s Embraer 190-E2, A330 freighters to Hawaiian Airlines and Cargo Aircraft Management, and narrowbody aircraft for Egyptair, Nesma Airlines, and SAS Link. BBAM and Jetran also repositioned aircraft for freighter and asset transition purposes.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-may-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: Acorn Capital acquired four A330-300s from Altavair for lease and part-out investment; Atlas Air signed a long-term 747-400 freighter ACMI agreement with Turkish Cargo; and Azorra delivered an A220-300 to Croatia Airlines, marking the start of a new European partnership.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-4-may-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
IAG Orders 53 Airbus and Boeing Long-Haul Aircraft
Aer Lingus parent company IAG has placed an order for 53 widebody aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, including A350s and 787s, to support long-haul network growth across its group airlines.
Acumen’s Take
This order reflects IAG’s confidence in sustained transatlantic and Asia-Pacific demand. Acumen tracks major fleet orders to support asset planning, delivery scheduling, and widebody lease strategy.
Emerald Airlines Adds 19th ATR72-600 to Growing Fleet
Emerald Airlines has taken delivery of its 19th ATR72-600, further strengthening its role as Aer Lingus Regional’s primary operator and expanding regional capacity.
Acumen’s Take
Turboprop growth underscores the importance of right-sized aircraft for regional connectivity. Acumen supports turboprop lessors and operators with lifecycle planning and market demand analysis.
Fifth Former JetBlue E190 Arrives at Ireland West Airport
A fifth ex-JetBlue Embraer 190 has landed at Ireland West Airport, adding to the pool of mid-life regional aircraft arriving for transition or storage.
Acumen’s Take
The arrival of more E190s signals repositioning or potential re-entry into European service. Acumen monitors such movements for remarketing support and reconfiguration advisory.
Aircraft Update
CityJet CRJ900 Ferried to Dinard for SAS Livery Repaint
CRJ900 EI-HSA (MSN 15080), owned by Regional One and EIC Aircraft Leasing Limited, was ferried to Dinard on 25th May 2025 for repainting into SAS livery. The aircraft continues to operate under an active lease as part of the ongoing ACMI partnership between CityJet and SAS.
Acumen’s Take
This move underscores the operational flexibility of ACMI models in Europe and highlights the growing trend of fleet branding alignment for passenger visibility and consistency. Acumen continues to support lessors and operators with lease management insights, repaint planning logistics, and transition support services.
Aer Lingus Takes Delivery of A321neo EI-XLV in Dublin
EI-XLV (c/n 12248), an Airbus A321-253NY (A321XLR), was delivered from Hamburg (XFW) to Dublin on 16th May 2025, joining the Aer Lingus fleet for long-range narrowbody operations.
Acumen’s Take
The A321XLR adds flexibility for thinner long-haul routes and transatlantic expansion. Acumen tracks XLR deployments to support next-gen narrowbody performance benchmarking and lease opportunity analysis.
Global Aviation News
Air Serbia Expands Its Fleet to Support Network Growth
Air Serbia has announced new aircraft additions to its fleet as part of a strategic expansion across Europe and key long-haul markets.
Acumen’s Take
Air Serbia’s growth reflects the strengthening of Eastern European connectivity. Acumen supports such expansion through fleet planning, lease structuring, and route performance analysis.
A4E Calls for Targeted Reforms to EU261 Compensation Rules
Airlines for Europe (A4E) is urging the European Commission to reform EU261, aiming to strike a better balance between passenger rights and airline operational realities.
Acumen’s Take
Regulatory changes to EU261 could significantly impact airline cost structures. Acumen advises on risk exposure modelling and contract adjustments in line with evolving passenger compensation frameworks.
Air Atlanta to Add Another Boeing 747 Freighter
Air Atlanta is expanding its cargo fleet with the addition of another Boeing 747F, reinforcing its capacity in global ACMI and charter operations.
Acumen’s Take
The continued use of 747 freighters highlights demand resilience in the long-haul cargo market. Acumen supports widebody freighter clients with P2F evaluation, placement tracking, and lifecycle analysis.
American Airlines Launches Chicago–Naples Nonstop Route
American Airlines has inaugurated its first-ever nonstop service from Chicago to Naples, tapping into strong summer travel demand to southern Italy.
Acumen’s Take
New transatlantic routes point to robust leisure travel recovery. Acumen monitors route expansions to inform network viability assessments and widebody fleet deployment strategy.
Business Aviation Reinforces Role in Europe’s Economic Recovery
A new report outlines how business aviation is playing a growing role in Europe’s post-pandemic recovery, providing flexibility, regional access, and economic stimulus.
Acumen’s Take
BizAv remains a resilient segment with rising relevance for private and corporate travel. Acumen provides business jet valuation, utilisation analytics, and secondary market advisory services.
Etihad Airways Expands Fleet with New Boeing Order
Etihad Airways has finalised a new order with Boeing, continuing its fleet renewal and expansion strategy across widebody segments.
Acumen’s Take
Etihad’s latest commitment highlights confidence in long-term network expansion. Acumen tracks OEM agreements and delivery pipelines to support asset sourcing and lease placement forecasting.
Irish Aviation News
CAPA Interview: IATA’s Willie Walsh Reflects on Industry Leadership and Challenges
In a new CAPA video interview, IATA Director General Willie Walsh shares insights on global aviation leadership, regulatory challenges, and airline resilience post-COVID.
Acumen’s Take
Leadership perspectives like Walsh’s shape industry policy and investment sentiment. Acumen incorporates such viewpoints into strategic planning and macro-level fleet trend analysis.
daa Gifts Compensatory Habitat for Biodiversity Week
In celebration of Biodiversity Week, Dublin Airport (daa) has donated a compensatory habitat site to support local environmental preservation and wildlife protection.
Acumen’s Take
Sustainability initiatives by airport operators align with broader ESG goals. Acumen tracks these developments as part of its infrastructure advisory and environmental compliance insights.
DAE Completes $2 Billion Acquisition of Nordic Aviation Capital
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has finalised its $2.0 billion acquisition of Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), significantly expanding its footprint in the regional aircraft leasing sector.
Acumen’s Take
The acquisition consolidates DAE’s market position and signals confidence in the regional aircraft segment. Acumen provides M&A support services including portfolio analysis, integration planning, and asset risk assessment.
EX-YU Capital Airports Project Strong Growth for June; Ryanair Tops Carrier Rankings
Airports across the EX-YU region are forecasting strong passenger growth for June 2025, with Ryanair emerging as the largest airline by volume.
Acumen’s Take
Ryanair’s expansion underscores the strength of the ULCC model in Central and Eastern Europe. Acumen uses such market indicators to guide route-level strategy and narrowbody fleet deployment modelling.
IAG Posts Modest Q1 Beat; FY25 Outlook Maintained
IAG Group posted a slightly stronger-than-expected Q1, according to Davy Research, while maintaining a stable outlook for full-year 2025.
Acumen’s Take
Steady financials at group level provide confidence in continued fleet expansion. Acumen uses earnings data to guide lessor risk exposure models and delivery pipeline alignment.
OTA Travel Republic Adds Ryanair Flights to Platform
Travel Republic, a leading OTA, has integrated Ryanair flights into its platform, offering consumers direct access to Europe’s largest low-cost network.
Acumen’s Take
This move signals Ryanair’s evolving approach to distribution strategy. Acumen monitors OTA partnerships and digital distribution trends to support client strategies in pricing, reach, and market positioning.
Tweet Picks
@AviationWeek European ULCC @wizzair has taken delivery of its first Airbus #A321XLR from the Airbus facilities in Hamburg Finkenwerder.
@airwaysmagazine IndiGo will begin long-haul nonstop service from Mumbai to Manchester (from 01 July 2025) and Amsterdam (from 02 July 2025), operating thrice weekly using leased Norse Boeing 787-9s aircraft. Complimentary hot meals and beverages will be provided to all passengers.
@airwaysmagazine STARLUX Airlines will launch Phoenix’s first nonstop flight to Asia in early 2026, operating three to four weekly flights to Taipei using Airbus A350-900 aircraft, pending government approval. The route is expected to generate over $100 million annually. #Airways #News.
@business Ryanair says profit growth this year will depend on working through the risk of tariff wars, geopolitical conflicts and macro-economic blows.
Video Picks
Etihad CEO Discusses Trump, Strategy, and $14.5 Billion Boeing Deal
Etihad Airways CEO speaks on the airline’s $14.5 billion Boeing order, geopolitical dynamics including Trump-era policy shifts, and Etihad’s long-term fleet vision.
Acumen’s Take
High-value orders combined with geopolitical awareness reflect strategic agility. Acumen tracks such deals to inform fleet forecasting, OEM alignment, and lease market implications.
GetYourGuide CEO: Experiences Are the Next Chapter of Travel
The CEO of GetYourGuide explains how experiential travel is driving post-pandemic tourism, reshaping what travellers value and how they book.
Acumen’s Take
Shifting traveller behaviour influences airline network decisions and route profitability. Acumen incorporates these trends into demand forecasting and destination route analysis.
Oscar Munoz: Air Traffic System Struggles Have Long Roots
Former United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz discusses how decades of underinvestment have contributed to persistent issues in U.S. air traffic control and airport operations.
Acumen’s Take
Infrastructure limitations impact schedule reliability and fleet efficiency. Acumen factors such constraints into aircraft utilisation modelling and operational planning services.
