29 Jul 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 29th July 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 Taps Growing 'Coolcation' Market
Aer Lingus is capitalising on the rising trend of "coolcations"—winter holidays to colder, picturesque destinations—with the launch of three new seasonal routes from Dublin and Cork. The move reflects shifting traveller preferences across Europe, as more passengers seek out alpine adventures, festive city breaks, and culturally rich getaways during the winter season.
Boeing Delivers Fifth 737 MAX to Flydubai via Shannon
Flydubai has received its fifth Boeing 737-8 MAX, with aircraft A6-FQK (MSN 61036) making a scheduled delivery stop at Shannon Airport en route from Boeing Field, Seattle to Dubai International Airport. The aircraft completed an overnight technical stop in Shannon before departing for the UAE the next day, reinforcing the airport’s role in transatlantic delivery logistics.
EI-FPI CRJ900 Departs CityJet Fleet
CityJet has completed the transfer of its Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR, registered EI-FPI (MSN 15433) and named "Menja Viking", to American regional carrier PSA Airlines. The aircraft was ferried from Valencia to Dayton, Ohio on 15–16 July 2025, with routing via Keflavik, Goose Bay, and Toronto. Once re-registered as N641NN, it will operate under the American Eagle banner, a regional brand of American Airlines Group.
Emirates Boosts Service to Dublin with Third Daily Flight
Emirates will introduce a third daily flight between Dubai and Dublin starting 26 October 2025, bringing its total weekly services to 21. The additional frequency—operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration—caters to rising demand from both passengers and cargo exporters. The new EK165 flight will depart Dubai at 02:10 and arrive in Dublin at 06:25, with the return EK166 flight departing Dublin at 08:25.
Aircraft Update
AerCap Ferries Airbus A321-211(F) OE-IAH to Jinan
AerCap has ferried an Airbus A321-211 freighter, registered OE-IAH (MSN 2713), to Jinan, China on 20 July 2025. The aircraft is part of AerCap’s expanding cargo portfolio, supporting demand for narrowbody freighters across Asia’s fast-growing e-commerce and regional logistics markets.
DAE Capital Ferries Airbus A320-214 OE-IEG to Seletar
DAE Capital has ferried an Airbus A320-214, registered OE-IEG (MSN 7966), to Seletar, Singapore on 12 July 2025. The aircraft repositioning reflects ongoing asset movements within the lessor’s portfolio, potentially for transition, storage, or preparation for a new lease placement in the Asia-Pacific region.
Global Aviation News
DHL Trades Volume for Value to Keep Air Cargo Profitable
DHL Group entered 2025 with continued focus on operational control and financial discipline, maintaining profitability despite weakening demand in global air cargo.
EBAA Statement on EBACE26 – Europe's Premier BizAv Conference
Following the recent leadership transition at the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the announcement regarding the next edition of EBACE, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed.The newly appointed Interim Managing Director, Stefan Benz, working closely with the EBAA Board and in consultation with key stakeholders, is taking the opportunity to review the event’s future setup, building on the work already undertaken and ensuring alignment with the Association’s evolving strategic priorities.
EFW Redelivers Its First A330P2F Aircraft to Air Lease for Awesome Cargo
Dresden, Germany, 3 June 2025 – Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), Centre of Excellence for Airbus freighter conversions, announced it has redelivered the first of three A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft to Air Lease, a leading global aircraft leasing company with over 800 owned, managed, and on-order aircraft in its fleet.
This freighter aircraft is the first A330P2F to be registered in Mexico and will be operated by Mexican airline Awesome Cargo.
Elfly Group Signs Deal with Cambodia’s VET Airways for Five ‘NOEMI’ Seaplanes
9 July 2025: Torp, Norway / Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Elfly Group, developers of the all-new NOEMI (No Emissions Electric) seaplane, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth US$50 million with Cambodia’s VET Airways for five aircraft, committing to bring clean, go-anywhere air travel to Southeast Asia.
This marks Elfly’s 52nd aircraft ordered through customer MoUs, as demand for the all-electric, amphibious NOEMI takes off globally—from Denmark to Greece, Indonesia, Panama, and now Cambodia.
Embraer Opens Dallas-Fort Worth MRO Facilities
Fort Worth, Texas, June 24, 2025 – Embraer (NYSE: ERJ / B3: EMBR3), a global leader in the aerospace industry, has opened its new Commercial MRO facilities at the Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.In partnership with the City of Fort Worth and the State of Texas, Embraer will begin operations in an existing hangar, while construction of a second hangar is expected to be completed in 2027.
GetJet Aviation Holdings Reports €25.4 Million Net Profit for 2024
GetJet Aviation Holdings, an international aviation services group headquartered in Lithuania, has announced its financial results for the 2024 fiscal year. The group posted a net profit of €25.4 million, with total revenues across the companies currently comprising the group reaching €184.3 million in 2024.GetJet continues to maintain one of the highest profitability rates globally in the ACMI and aircraft maintenance sectors.
HALO AirFinance Closes Two Additional Senior Loans for Crestone Air Partners
July 22, 2025 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Tokyo, Japan – HALO AirFinance (“HALO”), a joint venture between GA Telesis (“GAT”) and Tokyo Century Corporation (“TC”), has closed two senior loans for Crestone Air Partners and Blue Owl Capital investment vehicles. The financing supported the acquisition of two mature Airbus A319-100s currently on lease with a U.S. major airline.
Irish Aviation News
ACIA Aero Leasing Signs TrueChoice Engine Service Agreement with GE Aerospace
Dublin, Ireland – July 22, 2025 – ACIA Aero Leasing (“ACIA”), a leading provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services and solutions, announced the signature of a TrueChoice Agreement with GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE).The agreement covers maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for its CF34-10E engines and will support ACIA in expanding and growing its Embraer E1 platform.
Aer Lingus Passengers Told to Check In Luggage Day Before Flight
With the summer holiday season underway, Aer Lingus has advised passengers to consider checking in their luggage the day before departure due to high passenger volumes at Dublin Airport. DAA spokesperson Graeme McQueen, speaking on Moncrieff, noted that many travellers would likely welcome the move, as Dublin Airport can be “exceptionally busy” during peak travel periods.
Birr Fly-In 2025
Despite an inclement weather forecast, the Birr Fly-In 2025 enjoyed warm and sunny conditions until 13:00, welcoming aviation enthusiasts, supporters, and families from across Ireland. The event featured a strong community spirit, with a fantastic team of SVP volunteers and friends serving a traditional Irish breakfast, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Draft Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on Transport: Declan Fitzpatrick, IAA
In his opening statement to the Joint Committee on Transport, Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) CEO Declan Fitzpatrick thanked the Chairman and Committee members for the opportunity to discuss aviation policy. He was joined by Dr Adrian Corcoran, Director of Economic Regulation, Licensing and Consumer Affairs at the IAA.Fitzpatrick acknowledged that the Committee had recently heard from colleagues Jim Gavin and Enda Walsh regarding Unmanned Aviation, continuing the Authority’s engagement on a range of key aviation issues.
McEvaddy Group Seeks Permission for Major Dublin Airport Freight Hub
A group of landowners led by businessman Ulick McEvaddy is applying for planning permission to develop a major aviation-focused freight and logistics hub on a strategic landbank adjacent to Dublin Airport.The proposed development aims to enhance cargo and logistics capacity in close proximity to Ireland’s primary international gateway.
Milestone Signs Lease Extension Agreement with HeliKorea for One Leonardo AW169 Aircraft
LONDON – June 4, 2025 – The Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced the signing of a five-year lease extension with HeliKorea for one Leonardo AW169 aircraft. HeliKorea is a leading player in South Korea’s helicopter industry, and the agreement was announced during Helicopter Investor London 2025.
New Falling Stars 2025 Edition Now Available on Pilot.ie
The latest edition of Falling Stars is now available on Pilot.ie, featuring two newly added chapters that recount gripping stories of aircraft ditchings off Ireland’s west coast. One standout story is the 1949 ditching of a Transocean Air Lines Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Galway Bay, dubbed the “Miracle on Galway Bay.” After running out of fuel, the aircraft was forced to ditch in the Atlantic with 58 people aboard. Despite eight fatalities, coordinated rescue efforts involving life rafts, circling aircraft, and a British trawler led to the survival of 50 individuals—a testament to extraordinary airmanship and resilience.
Ryanair: ‘There Is Not Enough Short-Haul Capacity To Go Around’
Ryanair has highlighted a growing shortage of short-haul capacity, warning that it is placing increased pressure on regional airports to secure airline business. As major hubs become saturated, secondary markets such as Hungary, regional Italy, and Sweden are surfacing as promising zones for future expansion, offering Ryanair potential pathways for network growth and market penetration.
Tweet Picks
@airwaysmagazine Boeing and its global partners marked a pivotal moment this week as the first spar for the 777‑8 Freighter was officially drilled into production at the Composite Wing Centre in Everett, as announced by Boeing News Now.
@airwaysmagazine Starting October 26, @emirates will offer a third daily flight from its Dubai hub to Dublin, Ireland. Operated by the airline's three-class B777-300ER, flight EK165 will depart DXB at 2:10 a.m. local time and arrive in DUB at 6:25 a.m. #Airways #News.
@SAS .@AirFranceKLM today announced that it will initiate proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS, marking a new and strategically important chapter for the Scandinavian carrier and a landmark strategic development in the European aviation landscape.
@SpaethFlies .@airbus #A321LR delivery to @etihad today at #Finkenwerder. CEO Antonoaldo Neves revealed they have 30 LRs on order (so far 20) and will also fit out all #A321neo with first row First Class #PaxEx #avgeek
Video Picks
CEO of Luxembourg's Cargo Airline Hopes to Expand Cooperation with China
In a recent interview, the CEO of Luxembourg’s cargo airline expressed optimism about deepening strategic cooperation with China. Highlighting the country’s critical role in global trade, the CEO underscored the potential for increased cargo flows, joint ventures, and operational synergies between European and Chinese logistics hubs, aimed at strengthening bilateral air freight corridors.
Delta Air Lines' 100th Year Takes Flight
Delta Air Lines has officially launched its centennial celebrations, marking 100 years of operations. In a commemorative video, the airline reflects on its journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the world’s leading carriers. The film highlights milestones such as fleet evolution, global network expansion, and continued investment in innovation, sustainability, and customer service—underscoring Delta’s enduring role in shaping the commercial aviation industry.
“I'm Running the Most Reliable Airline in Canada”: Flair Airlines CEO
In a recent interview, Flair Airlines CEO Stephen Jones discussed the carrier’s operational performance and strategic focus. Jones emphasised that Flair is now the most reliable airline in Canada, citing improvements in on-time performance and reduced cancellations. He also addressed the ultra-low-cost model’s ability to meet growing demand across underserved domestic routes, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to affordability and consistency in service delivery.
Acumen’s Take
As the aviation industry continues to navigate shifting dynamics, this week’s developments underscore a strong interplay between infrastructure expansion, emerging technologies, and strategic financial structuring. Stakeholders are actively diversifying fleets, extending leasing partnerships, and investing in sustainable innovation—signalling long-term confidence across both passenger and cargo markets. Meanwhile, the rising importance of regional markets and MRO capabilities reflects a broader decentralisation of aviation growth. For lessors, operators, and investors alike, agility and proactive adaptation remain the cornerstones of resilience and opportunity.
