30 Jan 2026
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 30th January 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 Inaugural A321XLR to Shannon
Aer Lingus operated the first-ever Airbus A321XLR commercial service into Shannon Airport on 17 January, marking a notable milestone for both the aircraft type and the airport. The flight was operated by EI-XLW on a Dublin–London Heathrow–Shannon W-pattern rotation, replacing a scheduled A320neo service. This deployment underlines the A321XLR’s operational flexibility, demonstrating its ability to support short-haul network optimisation alongside its intended long-range role.
FlyArystan Adds EI-KFI A320neo
FlyArystan has expanded its fleet with the addition of a leased Airbus A320neo, bringing its total aircraft count to 28. The aircraft, registered EI-KFI (MSN 12684), was delivered from Dublin-based lessor Avolon and is configured in a high-density 188-seat, single-class layout. Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the delivery further strengthens FlyArystan’s low-cost growth strategy, with its fleet now comprising 15 A320ceo and 13 A320neo aircraft.
Qanot Sharq Partners with Inflight Dublin
Inflight Dublin has entered into a new five-year partnership with Qanot Sharq, marking a significant step in the airline’s onboard product strategy. Under the agreement, Inflight Dublin will deploy its next-generation Everhub™ wireless inflight entertainment platform across Qanot Sharq’s Airbus fleet and act as the airline’s Content Service Provider. The announcement coincides with Qanot Sharq taking delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, leased long-term from Air Lease, supporting the carrier’s fleet modernisation and long-haul ambitions.
Aircraft Update
G-ISLM ATR72-500 Ferried to Toulouse-Francazal
An ATR72-500, registered G-ISLM (c/n 762), owned by Abelo Assets, was ferried to Toulouse-Francazal on 22 December 2025. The movement reflects ongoing asset management activity within the regional turboprop market, as lessors continue to reposition aircraft in line with maintenance, transition, or future deployment requirements.
YU-ATA Embraer 195 Delivered to Air Serbia
Air Serbia has taken delivery of an Embraer 195, registered YU-ATA (c/n 19000688), which arrived in Belgrade on 10 December 2025. The aircraft was previously registered as N688DR and adds further capacity to the carrier’s regional jet fleet, supporting network flexibility and short- to medium-haul operations as Air Serbia continues to optimise fleet deployment.
Global Aviation News
Emirates Unveils Grand Slam A380 Livery
Emirates has introduced a new Airbus A380 livery honouring its long-standing sponsorship of all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments: the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Unveiled in Dubai on 14 January 2026, the design features tennis-inspired graphics, with each Grand Slam logo framed within a tennis ball motif and displayed in the tournament’s distinctive colours.
Ethiopian Airlines Orders Nine 787 Dreamliners, Expands Boeing Fleet
Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, reinforcing its long-haul growth strategy as demand for international travel continues to rise. Announced on 20 January 2026, the deal will see Africa’s largest carrier deploy additional 787-9s to expand its global network, which already spans 145 international destinations. The widebody order follows Ethiopian’s recent commitment for 11 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft announced at the Dubai Airshow, with both transactions finalised in December 2025. Together, the two deals add 20 fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft to Ethiopian’s order book, underlining the airline’s focus on fleet modernisation, capacity growth, and improved operating economics across both short- and long-haul markets.
IAG Appoints José Antonio Barrionuevo as New CFO
International Airlines Group has announced the appointment of José Antonio Barrionuevo as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective from June 2026, as current CFO Nicholas Cadbury steps down and leaves the Group. Barrionuevo brings deep financial and transformation experience from across the IAG portfolio, most recently serving as Chief Financial and Transformation Officer at British Airways since July 2023. Having joined IAG in 2013, he previously held senior leadership roles at Iberia, including seven years as CFO, where he played a central role in the airline’s financial turnaround and long-term strategic repositioning. His earlier career includes experience at JP Morgan and McKinsey, adding strong financial markets and consulting expertise to IAG’s executive leadership team.
International Flight Center Unveils New Terminal at Miami Executive
International Flight Center has officially unveiled a new purpose-built FBO terminal at Miami Executive Airport, marking a major upgrade to its business aviation offering. The 10,500 sq ft, multi-level facility replaces an older, smaller terminal and was developed over a two-year period alongside the removal of a legacy hangar. The new terminal features upgraded passenger and crew amenities including modern guest lounges, a refreshment bar, pilot rest suites with private bathrooms, a dedicated catering kitchen, conference and business facilities, concierge services, crew cars, and an in-house café. The investment strengthens IFC’s positioning at a key South Florida business aviation hub, supported by its on-site FAA Part 145 maintenance capability.
London Heathrow Sets Passenger Record of 84.5 Million in 2025
London Heathrow handled a record 84.5 million passengers in 2025, setting a new annual high despite operating under long-standing capacity constraints. The total marked a modest 0.7% increase over the previous 2024 record, with flight movements rising just 0.8% year on year to just under 480,000 services, highlighting continued pressure on available slots. Performance was supported by strong demand across most of the year, with traffic exceeding 2024 levels in nine of twelve months and December becoming Heathrow’s busiest ever, carrying 7.2 million passengers. The airport also recorded its busiest single day on 1 August, when 270,000 travellers passed through its terminals, underlining sustained demand at Europe’s largest hub even with limited room for growth.
Lufthansa Group Announces Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout Across Fleet
Lufthansa Group has confirmed a group-wide agreement with Starlink to introduce high-speed inflight connectivity across its entire fleet of around 850 aircraft. Installation is set to begin later this year and will cover Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and SWISS, marking one of the largest Starlink deployments in commercial aviation to date. The airline group said the new service will be offered free of charge to status customers and Travel ID users across all cabin classes, strengthening its push toward more seamless, always-on digital connectivity for passengers on short- and long-haul flights alike.
Precision Completes First A321PCF Conversion Under CAAC
321 Precision Conversions, working with Sichuan Aviation Industry Development Co., has completed its first Airbus A321-200 passenger-to-freighter conversion certified under the regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Precision said the CAAC oversight and approval process mirrored the standards applied to its A321PCF programmes under FAA and EASA supervision, underscoring regulatory alignment across major jurisdictions.
RESIDCO Secures $100m Aircraft Engine Acquisition Facility
RESIDCO has closed a US$100 million commercial aircraft engine acquisition facility provided by Huntington National Bank, strengthening its ability to scale within the global aviation secondary market. The new debt facility is targeted at acquiring high-demand commercial aircraft engines, reflecting continued tight supply and strong leasing demand as airline operations normalise. RESIDCO said the funding enhances liquidity across its engine leasing platform, enabling it to execute its growth strategy while supporting airlines and trading partners seeking flexible engine solutions in an increasingly capacity-constrained market.
Sun Country Expands Amazon Air Freighter Operations
Sun Country Airlines will operate two additional freighters for Amazon Air, increasing its dedicated cargo fleet to 22 aircraft in 2026, according to Cargo Facts. The carrier expects to take delivery of the two freighters in spring, ahead of entry into service for the peak summer period. The expansion comes as Sun Country prepares for its planned acquisition by Allegiant Travel, and underscores the continued strength and stability of its long-term ACMI partnership with Amazon, which remains a key pillar of Sun Country’s diversified business model alongside passenger operations.
Irish Aviation News
Ireland West Airport Plans 40th Anniversary Celebrations
Ireland West Airport Knock is preparing a series of events to mark its 40th anniversary in 2026, celebrating four decades since the airport opened in 1986 following the vision and determination of Monsignor James Horan. Now serving more than 20 destinations, the airport welcomed over 900,000 passengers last year, underlining its role as a vital regional gateway. Head of Marketing Donal Healy said 2026 will be a year-long celebration, reflecting on the airport’s community roots while showcasing its continued growth, connectivity, and importance to the west of Ireland.
Framework Moves Forward to Lift Dublin Airport Passenger Cap
The Government is set to bring forward a legislative framework within the next two weeks aimed at lifting the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport, a long-standing constraint on Ireland’s main aviation gateway. The move aligns with Programme for Government commitments and comes as Tourism Ireland reports a 12% increase in inbound seat capacity for the winter and spring seasons compared with last year. Tourism Minister Peter Burke said progress is being made on the issue, signalling growing policy momentum to support tourism growth, airline capacity expansion, and improved connectivity as demand continues to recover.
N-Registered Aircraft Held in Trust with SACI Grounded in Ireland
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the immediate grounding of certain US-registered (N-reg) aircraft operating in Ireland that are held in trust through Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc under a non-Citizen Trust (NCT) arrangement. The FAA has determined that the affected aircraft hold invalid Certificates of Registration, meaning they must not fly until they are re-registered in full compliance with FAA requirements. The Irish Aviation Authority has circulated the notice to operators, advising owners to contact SACI directly and complete the necessary corrective steps before resuming operations.
IAT Leasing Announces Senior Leadership Promotions
IAT Leasing has announced a senior leadership realignment as it prepares for its next phase of growth, creating three new executive roles to support the scaling of its platform. John Fields has been promoted to President, Coleman Byrne to Chief Financial Officer, and Christine Davin to Chief Operating Officer. CEO Martin Browne said the promotions reflect the expanded responsibilities already being carried out by the leadership team and position the company strongly as it continues to grow and scale its leasing platform.
Irish Aircraft Register Update – December 2025
December 2025 saw steady activity on the Irish Aircraft Register, with multiple new additions balanced by notable removals. New registrations included an Embraer ERJ190-400 for Azorra and four Airbus A220-300s for ACG Aircraft Leasing Ireland, alongside a new Airbus A330-941 registered to French Butterfly Ltd., highlighting continued strength in Ireland’s leasing pipeline. On the cancellations side, Bombardier CRJ900 EI-FPR exited the CityJet fleet to join PSA Airlines in the US, while a Boeing 737-700 moved into storage in Spain. A key development was the deregistration of Sikorsky S-92A EI-ICG, reflecting the wind-down of CHC Ireland’s Irish operations, with two S-92s remaining on the register and based at Waterford. The update underscores ongoing churn across commercial, regional and rotary fleets within the Irish register as operators and lessors rebalance assets.
PRM Assist Raises €500,000 to Scale Airport Passenger Assistance Technology
Irish aviation technology company PRM Assist has secured €500,000 in new funding to accelerate its international expansion and advance product innovation across airport passenger assistance operations. The investment round, led by Enterprise Ireland alongside Irish tech investor Paul McKeon, will support team growth, platform enhancements, and entry into new global airport markets. The capital will also be used to develop real-time operational capabilities and explore the use of AI and machine learning to further optimize passenger assistance workflows, strengthening PRM Assist’s position as airports worldwide focus on improving accessibility, efficiency and service quality.
Kerry Airport Sets New Passenger Record in 2025
Kerry Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025, handling over 440,000 passengers, a 5.5% increase year on year and well above the previous annual high of 423,000 set in 2008. More than half of all travellers flew on UK routes, with services to Manchester, London Luton, and London Stansted accounting for a 7.4% rise compared with 2024, underlining the continued strength of Kerry’s UK connectivity and the airport’s growing role in supporting regional tourism and travel demand.
Minister Burke Announces €4.7 Billion Capital Investment Plan
Peter Burke TD has published the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’s Sectoral Capital Plan 2026–2030, outlining €4.7 billion in capital investment under the Government’s National Development Plan. The five-year programme is aimed at strengthening Ireland’s enterprise and employment base, supporting innovation, attracting foreign direct investment, and boosting tourism development across all regions, with the Minister describing it as the largest-ever commitment to Ireland’s enterprise and innovation ecosystem, focused on competitiveness, jobs, and long-term economic infrastructure.
Ryanair Warns of Major Capacity Cuts from Brussels Over Tax Increases
Ryanair has warned it could cut up to 2.2 million seats from its Brussels operations over the next two years in response to proposed aviation tax increases in Belgium. The airline said passenger numbers could fall from 11.6 million in 2025 to 10.6 million this year if a €3 per passenger departure tax is introduced at Charleroi, with a further reduction to 9.6 million passengers in 2027 should taxes rise five-fold to €10. Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary criticised the Belgian government’s approach, arguing higher taxes would drive traffic, tourism, and jobs to lower-cost EU markets such as Sweden, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia, and warned that continued increases would result in deeper capacity cuts at both Charleroi and Brussels Zaventem airports.
Ryanair Carries 60 Million Passengers in Spain for First Time
Ryanair has transported more than 60 million passengers in Spain for the first time, as Aena-managed airports recorded a new annual high of 321.6 million travellers in 2025. The milestone underscores Ryanair’s growing dominance in the Spanish market and reflects continued strength in European leisure and short-haul demand. The traffic growth also supports Aena’s planned €12.9 billion infrastructure investment programme, even as discussions continue around airport tariff increases, with Spain’s aviation and tourism sector now averaging close to one million passengers per day.
Tweet Picks
@RunwayGirl Joining JSX this week in Santa Monica to celebrate the US public charter carrier’s first 30-seat ATR 42-600, ATR doubled down on its message that the U.S. holds “strong potential” for turboprops as the retirement of 50-seat RJs creates a connectivity gap.
@RunwayGirl Packing more passengers into the most fuel-efficient aircraft and eliminating premium seating could reduce global aviation emissions by as much as three-quarters, a new Oxford study has suggested.
@skift As the airline industry increasingly turns more premium, loyalty programs — already airlines’ biggest asset — are becoming even more important to their long-term strategy.
@SPD_travels Info |British Airways will run select Heathrow-Orlando flights in August. BA204/205 on Tue/Thu/Sat.
Video Picks
Delta Seals Boeing Order as Earnings Support Travel Boom
Delta Air Lines has confirmed a new aircraft order with Boeing, reinforcing confidence in sustained passenger demand as the carrier posts strong earnings. The video highlights how Delta’s financial performance is underpinning long-term fleet planning, with the order positioned as a strategic move to support capacity growth, network resilience, and fuel efficiency as global travel demand continues to rebound strongly across both leisure and premium segments.
Tarmac to Treatment: Air Cargo’s Role in Strengthening Pharma Supply Chains
This video explores how air cargo has become a critical backbone of global pharmaceutical supply chains, linking manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers with speed and reliability. It highlights the role of temperature-controlled logistics, specialised handling, and time-critical capacity in ensuring medicines, vaccines, and biologics reach patients safely and on schedule. As pharma demand grows and supply chains become more complex, the feature underscores why air freight is increasingly viewed not just as a transport mode, but as an essential part of healthcare resilience from tarmac to treatment.
This Isn’t Just Flying. This is the Emirates A380
Emirates showcases the Airbus A380 experience in this cinematic feature, highlighting how the world’s largest passenger aircraft underpins the airline’s long-haul proposition. The video focuses on cabin design, onboard amenities, and the scale of the A380 operation, positioning the aircraft as a flagship for premium travel, network connectivity, and brand identity. As Emirates continues to commit to the superjumbo across its global network, the feature reinforces the A380’s ongoing role in high-capacity, long-haul markets.
Acumen’s Take
This week’s developments reinforce how firmly aviation has moved from recovery into recalibration. Airlines, lessors, airports, and regulators are all adjusting to sustained demand, tight supply, and rising expectations around efficiency, connectivity, and resilience. Fleet decisions, infrastructure constraints, and policy signals are increasingly shaping competitive advantage, not just growth. As 2026 unfolds, disciplined capital allocation and operational flexibility will matter as much as headline expansion.
