31 Jul 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 31st 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
PS-GFH Boeing 737-85N(F) c/n 33551 GOL Airlines Delivered to Belo Horizonte 29/06/25 ex 2-BPDD
GOL Airlines took delivery of a Boeing 737-85N freighter, registered PS-GFH (MSN 33551), on 29 June 2025. The aircraft, formerly operating under the registration 2-BPDD, arrived in Belo Horizonte to support GOL’s dedicated cargo services across Brazil and Latin America. The addition enhances the airline’s logistics capacity in response to rising e-commerce and regional freight demand.
TC-FHZ Airbus A320-214 c/n 6375 Freebird Airlines Delivered to Antalya 25/06/25 ex EI-HNT
Freebird Airlines took delivery of an Airbus A320-214, registered TC-FHZ (MSN 6375), on 25 June 2025. Previously operating as EI-HNT, the aircraft was delivered to Antalya to join Freebird’s leisure-focused fleet. The addition is expected to support the carrier’s peak summer operations across popular European and Middle Eastern tourist destinations.
Global Aviation News
Azul Receives Final Court Approval for US$1.6 Billion DIP Financing
Azul S.A., Brazil’s largest airline by number of destinations and departures, has secured final court approval for its US$1.6 billion debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing as part of its ongoing Chapter 11 proceedings. The U.S. Court granted approval without objections from any involved parties, underscoring the airline’s cooperative approach with stakeholders. The financing is expected to provide vital liquidity, supporting Azul’s continued operations and long-term restructuring goals.
LOT Polish Airlines Unveils New RECARO Seats for Boeing 737 MAX 8 Fleet
LOT Polish Airlines has revealed the first look at the new cabin seats that will be installed on its upcoming fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, marking a major step forward in the airline’s ongoing cabin modernization programme.
TUI Successfully Issues €250 Million Schuldschein at 4% Coupon
TUI has completed the issuance of a €250 million Schuldscheindarlehen (promissory note), marking a key step in its financing strategy. The offering includes both fixed and floating rate tranches with maturities of 3 and 5 years, priced at 180 and 210 basis points respectively. With an average tenor of around 3.6 years and a blended coupon of approximately 4%, the transaction reflects strong investor confidence in TUI’s financial stability and growth outlook.
UNI Air Orders 19 New ATR 72-600 Aircraft to Strengthen Taiwan’s Domestic Network
UNI Air, EVA Air’s regional subsidiary, has placed an order for 19 ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, with options for three more, in a significant expansion of its domestic fleet. The agreement, signed in Taipei, represents ATR’s largest airline order since 2017. The new aircraft will enhance regional connectivity and promote tourism across Taiwan, reinforcing UNI Air’s commitment to sustainable, efficient short-haul operations.
Wizz Air Returns to Warsaw-Modlin Airport with 11 New Routes After 13-Year Hiatus
Wizz Air is set to resume operations at Warsaw-Modlin Airport in December 2025, marking its return after a 13-year absence. The Hungarian low-cost carrier will launch 11 new routes to 8 countries, basing two Airbus A321neo aircraft at the airport. With over 500,000 seats offered annually, the move is expected to generate more than 80 local jobs and significantly boost regional connectivity and tourism.
Irish Aviation News
ACIA Aero Leasing Signs TrueChoice Engine Service Agreement with GE Aerospace
ACIA Aero Leasing has entered into a TrueChoice Agreement with GE Aerospace for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of its CF34-10E engines. The deal supports ACIA’s ongoing expansion of its Embraer E1 platform, reinforcing its position as a key player in the regional aircraft leasing market. This collaboration ensures enhanced engine reliability and cost-efficient lifecycle management for ACIA’s growing fleet.
Adventurous Irish Travellers Are Going Further Than Ever for Winter Sun
Irish holidaymakers seeking winter sun are increasingly venturing to far-flung destinations, with long-haul hotspots gaining traction. South Africa, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and the United Arab Emirates have become particularly popular among those looking to escape the colder months. This trend reflects a growing appetite for more exotic and experiential travel among Irish consumers.
Aer Lingus / Iberia Begins US Codeshare From July 2025
Aer Lingus and Iberia have expanded their transatlantic codeshare agreement, with new routes effective from early July 2025. Under the arrangement, Iberia-operated flights from Madrid to major US cities including Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles will carry Aer Lingus flight numbers. Conversely, Iberia codes are now applied to Aer Lingus-operated services from Dublin to Denver and Washington Dulles. This development enhances connectivity and route flexibility between Europe and the United States for both airlines’ customers.
Aer Lingus Adds New European Routes for Winter 2025/26
Aer Lingus has announced a fresh wave of European route additions for the upcoming Northern Winter 2025/26 season. From Cork, the airline will launch weekly flights to Geneva starting 20 December and twice-weekly services to Prague beginning 23 October. Meanwhile, Dublin will see the introduction of a new weekly service to Turin commencing 21 December. These additions aim to boost winter connectivity for Irish travellers, tapping into both leisure and ski travel demand across continental Europe.
IAG CEO Luis Gallego Wins at 2025 Airline Strategy Awards
Luis Gallego, Chief Executive of International Airlines Group (IAG), has been honoured in the Executive Leadership: Europe category at the 2025 Airline Strategy Awards, held on 14 July in London. The award recognises Gallego’s strategic leadership across IAG’s multi-brand portfolio, navigating post-pandemic recovery, operational integration, and expansion efforts.
CDB Aviation and Loong Air Sign Lease Deal for Six New A321neo Aircraft
CDB Aviation, the Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., has finalised lease agreements with Zhejiang Loong Airlines (Loong Air) for six new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The deal marks a continued partnership between the lessor and the Chinese carrier, supporting Loong Air’s fleet modernisation and growth strategy in the narrowbody segment.
Emirates Adds Third Daily Flight to Dublin for Winter 2025
Emirates will increase its Dubai–Dublin service to three daily flights starting 26 October 2025 as part of its Northern Winter 2025/26 schedule. The added frequency will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, enhancing connectivity between Ireland and the Middle East .
Flight plan for growth: Part five – The Dublin hard stop
In part five of the A Pathfinder for Irish Aviation report, compiled through interviews with 33 aviation industry leaders, the State-created cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport emerged as a particularly contentious issue. Widely criticised as an example of strategic self-harm, the cap is seen as sending negative signals to global stakeholders about Ireland’s commitment to aviation growth. Its urgent removal is one of the five key policy recommendations in the report.
Ryanair Q1 Results 2025 Earnings Call – Full Transcript Released
Ryanair has released the full transcript of its Q1 2025 earnings call, providing transparency into its financial performance and strategic direction. The session includes a comprehensive Q&A with analysts and investors, addressing topics ranging from forward bookings and aircraft deliveries to fuel hedging and capacity planning. The transcript offers a detailed view into the airline’s operational confidence amid ongoing industry challenges.
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.
@AviationWeek .@Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto warned that U.S. tariffs on Brazilian imports could have the same revenue impact on the aircraft manufacturer as the COVID-19 pandemic.
@AviationWeek #Goodyear is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the inaugural flight of its first blimp, "Pilgrim," with a U.S. tour of over 100 cities. Watch as BCA's Molly McMillin and Jeremy Kariuki ride along at 2025 #EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. #Osh2025 #GoodyearBlimp
Video Picks
Ryanair CFO Neil Sorahan on Q1 Results, Boeing Deliveries and Second-Half Outlook
In this video interview, Ryanair CFO Neil Sorahan discusses the airline’s Q1 2025 performance, progress on Boeing aircraft deliveries, and expectations for the remainder of the year. Sorahan outlines how strong summer demand is supporting growth despite delivery delays and cost pressures. He also shares insights on fuel hedging, capacity planning, and Ryanair’s broader financial strategy heading into the second half of FY2025.
Ryanair CFO on Earnings, ATC Costs, Tariffs
In this interview, Ryanair CFO Neil Sorahan delves into the airline’s earnings trajectory, highlighting how cost management and strong passenger demand are shaping performance. He also addresses rising Air Traffic Control (ATC) charges across Europe and the implications of tariff-related pressures. The discussion offers a candid view of the operational headwinds Ryanair faces and the strategies it’s employing to stay competitive in a challenging regulatory and cost environment.
Ryanair Q1 Results 2025 Earnings Call Full Session and Q&A
This full-length video covers Ryanair’s Q1 FY2025 earnings call, featuring detailed financial insights, strategic commentary from senior leadership, and an extensive Q&A session. Key topics include unit cost trends, summer demand outlook, aircraft delivery timelines, and the impact of operational challenges such as Boeing delays and air traffic disruptions. The session provides a comprehensive look at Ryanair’s performance and priorities as it navigates a complex market environment.
Acumen’s Take
The aviation sector continues to demonstrate both resilience and ambition, as carriers expand networks, lessors close new deals, and infrastructure debates gain urgency. Emerging themes include rising demand for strategic partnerships, capital market confidence, and a renewed focus on winter and regional connectivity. Leasing activity remains robust across narrowbody and turboprop segments, while macroeconomic shifts and regulatory bottlenecks add complexity to airline strategies. For aviation stakeholders, agility in fleet planning, cost management, and cross-border alliances is now essential.
