03 Nov 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 3rd November 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
Delta Upgauges Boston–Dublin Route to Airbus A330neo
Delta Air Lines is upgrading its Boston–Dublin service (DAL154/5) effective from 26 October 2025 by replacing the 225-seat Boeing 767-300ER with the three-class 281-seat Airbus A330-900neo. The route will operate four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This transition increases Delta’s capacity on the Dublin route by approximately 25%.
KLM Deploys Airbus A321neo on Amsterdam–Dublin Route
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has introduced the Airbus A321neo on two of its six daily services between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Dublin (DUB), effective 26 October 2025. The inaugural A321neo flight, KLM1141/2 operated by PH-AXK (MSN 12664), arrived in Dublin at 16:31 local time before departing back to Amsterdam at 17:49. The new 227-seat, two-class aircraft features Airbus’ Airspace cabin with redesigned sidewalls, XL overhead bins offering 60% more luggage capacity, USB-C power outlets at every seat, and advanced LED lighting for enhanced passenger comfort.
Ryanair UK Transfers B737NG to Buzz
Ryanair UK transferred its Boeing 737-8AS, registered G-RUKL (MSN 33572), to sister company Buzz at London Stansted on 21 October 2025, where it was re-registered as SP-RNL. The aircraft operated its first service under Buzz on 27 October as RYR2225/6 between London Stansted (STN) and Tallinn (TLL). According to Flightradar24, G-RUKL’s final Ryanair UK flight was RUK1365 from Rabat to Stansted on 16 October. The airline’s first 198-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 “Gamechanger,” registered G-RYMA (MSN 67128), remains on order awaiting delivery from Grant County International Airport in Washington.
Aircraft Update
A6-FPH Boeing 737-8 c/n 61037 FlyDubai Delivered
FlyDubai has taken delivery of a new Boeing 737-8, registered A6-FPH (MSN 61037). The aircraft was delivered from Boeing Field via Shannon to Dubai International between 28 and 30 October 2025. This addition further strengthens FlyDubai’s narrowbody fleet as part of its ongoing modernisation and network expansion programme.
CS-TGD Airbus A330-202 c/n 489 Euro Atlantic Airways Delivered to Lisbon 24/10/25 ex 9H-EFS
Euro Atlantic Airways took delivery of an Airbus A330-202, registered CS-TGD (MSN 489), on 24 October 2025. The aircraft, formerly registered as 9H-EFS, was delivered to Lisbon, marking its addition to the airline’s fleet.
Global Aviation News
Iberia to Launch Direct Flights Between Madrid and Monterrey in June 2026
Iberia has announced the introduction of a new direct service between Madrid and Monterrey, strengthening its network in Mexico, one of its key strategic markets. Commencing on 2 June 2026, the route will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, departing Madrid at 13:10 and arriving in Monterrey at 17:05 local time. The return service will depart Monterrey at 18:35, arriving in Madrid at 13:05 the following day.
IndiGo Places Firm Order for 30 Additional A350-900 Airbus Aircraft
IndiGo has finalised a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, converting its June 2025 Memorandum of Understanding into a confirmed purchase. This brings the airline’s total A350 commitments to 60 aircraft. The expanded order signifies IndiGo’s strategic move toward long-haul international operations, positioning the carrier to leverage the A350’s range and efficiency to support its global growth plans.
IndiGo: Pieter Elbers’s Next Bold Moves & Conviction for Growth
Since joining IndiGo as CEO in 2022, Pieter Elbers has steered the airline through a transformative phase built on calculated risk and clear conviction. Under his leadership, the low-cost carrier introduced a business class service in 2024 and launched its first long-haul flight in July 2025 — milestones that signal IndiGo’s evolving strategy beyond its traditional model. Early in 2023, IndiGo’s recruitment drive for cabin crew trainers with premium-class experience hinted at this shift, reflecting Elbers’s commitment to elevating the brand and redefining its growth trajectory.
KF Aerospace Delivers First Custom 737-800 Combi Aircraft for Air Inuit
KF Aerospace has completed the delivery of the first Boeing 737-800 combi aircraft for Air Inuit, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s fleet modernisation programme. The extensive conversion work was performed at KF’s Kelowna facility, demonstrating the company’s engineering capability in executing complex and customized aircraft solutions tailored to specific operational needs.
Lufthansa Group Reports €1.3 Billion Q3 Operating Profit, Confirms Strong Full-Year Outlook
The Lufthansa Group has reported an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of €1.3 billion for Q3 2025, equalling its performance from the same period last year. Revenue increased by 4% year-on-year to reach €11.2 billion, marking the highest quarterly revenue in the company’s history. The results underscore Lufthansa’s continued financial resilience and reinforce its strong outlook for the full year.
MUFG Finances First Aircraft Acquisition for Blue Crest Aviation Partners, New Joint Venture from Blue Owl and Crestone Air Partners
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) has announced a $53.7 million non-recourse, senior secured portfolio financing for Blue Crest Aviation Partners, a new joint venture between Blue Owl Capital Inc. and Crestone Air Partners. The transaction marks the first aircraft investments under the Blue Crest platform and MUFG’s inaugural deal with Crestone as servicer, reinforcing the group’s expanding role in aviation finance and structured asset-backed transactions.
Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Slashes 13 Mexican Carrier Routes to U.S. in Response to Mexico’s Continued Abuse of Bilateral Aviation Agreement
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has issued an order cancelling all combination services between the United States and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU). The decision removes 13 existing or planned routes operated by Mexican carriers to the U.S. and halts any further expansion of Mexican carrier services. The action comes in response to what the Department of Transportation describes as Mexico’s continued violation of the bilateral aviation agreement.
Irish Aviation News
AerCap Reports $2.9bn in Assets Have Been Recovered Since Ukraine Conflict
AerCap has reported record adjusted net income and earnings per share for Q3 2025, driven by $1.5 billion in asset sales that generated gains of $332 million. The company recovered $475 million in assets related to the Ukraine conflict during the quarter, bringing total recoveries since 2023 to $2.9 billion. AerCap also returned $1 billion to shareholders through the repurchase of 8.2 million shares and announced a new $750 million buyback programme.
Airborne Capital Agrees Second Lease with Geosky Airlines
Airborne Capital has finalized the placement and delivery of a second Boeing B767-300BCF widebody freighter on long-term lease with Georgia-based Geosky Airlines. This agreement marks another step in Airborne’s expanding presence within the widebody freighter market. With this addition, Geosky’s fleet of B767-300BCF aircraft increases to four, supporting the airline’s continued growth in the global cargo sector.
Airbus C295: How Ireland’s Eyes in the Skies Help Prevent Illegal Fishing
Operating from Casement Aerodrome near Dublin, the Irish Air Corps utilises the Airbus C295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) to patrol and protect Ireland’s extensive coastal waters. Designed to perform in challenging weather conditions, the C295 MSA plays a vital role in monitoring fishing activity, conducting search and rescue operations, and ensuring maritime security. With support from the Mission Support Centre (MSC), each mission is meticulously planned from flight paths to search patterns enabling the Irish Air Corps to safeguard national waters and combat illegal fishing effectively.
Anton Savage: Good on the DAA for Adopting the Plane Watcher’s Desire Path
In a recent column for The Business Post, Anton Savage commends the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) for embracing the enthusiasm of aviation spotters by formalising their preferred viewing area often referred to as the “plane watcher’s desire path.” The move reflects the DAA’s recognition of aviation enthusiasts as part of the airport community, creating a safer, more accessible space for aircraft observation while balancing operational and security considerations.
Appeal Delays Apex Aviation’s Nenagh Expansion Pausing North Tipperary Development Plans
Apex Aviation Ltd, a specialist in aircraft engine maintenance and repair, has encountered delays in its planned expansion at Lisboney Business Park, Nenagh, following an appeal against the project. The six-hectare development, approved by Tipperary County Council last month, includes an engine maintenance centre, an aircraft engine storage facility, three warehouse units, offices, and related infrastructure. The appeal has temporarily paused progress on one of North Tipperary’s key industrial development initiatives.
Belfast Concerns Lead Airbus to Reduce A220 Deliveries from 14 to 12 a Month
Airbus has revised its A220 production plan, lowering the output from 14 to 12 aircraft per month in 2026 amid supply chain concerns and pending engine upgrades. The Belfast facility, a key part of the A220 supply network, has experienced postponements in several assemblies through 2025 and 2026. Despite the adjustment, Airbus delivered 507 commercial aircraft in the first nine months of 2025 including 62 A220s compared to 497 in the same period last year, with an overall backlog standing at 8,665 aircraft.
Dublin Airport Winter Schedule Grows 17pc After Slot-Restricted 2024-25
Dublin Airport has announced a 17% increase in its winter 2025–2026 schedule compared to last year’s slot-restricted season, marking a strong recovery and positioning it among Europe’s fastest-growing airports. Running from late October 2025 through March 2026, the schedule features services to 150 destinations operated by 40 airlines, reflecting renewed network expansion and sustained passenger demand.
Ryanair Celebrates 12 Millionth Passenger at Ireland West Airport Since Operations Began in 1986
Ireland West Airport has surpassed 12 million passengers travelling with Ryanair since the airline began operations there in 1986. The milestone passenger, Alison Lynch from London, arrived on Ryanair’s London Stansted service to visit family in Galway and Roscommon. To mark the occasion, she was presented with a Ryanair flight voucher, a bottle of champagne, and chocolates, celebrating nearly four decades of partnership between Ryanair and Ireland West Airport.
Tweet Picks
@AINonline Building on its noise-abatement program introduced in 2007, the advisory board at Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport has released the next phase with a new voluntary program for aircraft operators.
@AINonline Embraer this week reaffirmed that it is actively studying the case for entering the large-cabin business jet market.
@AINonline Embraer’s Executive Jets division is on track to meet its projected delivery forecast of 145 to 155 aircraft this year.
@AINonline Greenpoint Technologies’ Moses Lake, Washington modification center delivered another Boeing BBJ 787 to a customer on schedule after completing a cabin modification and interior upgrade project.
Video Picks
Airbus North America CEO: New Mobile Assembly Line Allows Us to Double Our A320 Production Over Time
In this interview, Airbus North America CEO C. Jeffrey Knittel discusses the company’s newly inaugurated final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, and its role in meeting growing demand for the A320 Family. The facility will enable Airbus to progressively double its A320 production in North America, supporting efficiency, job creation, and the company’s long-term industrial growth strategy. Knittel also highlights how this expansion strengthens Airbus’s commitment to the U.S. market and its airline customers across the region.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom: We Anticipate Record Revenue in Q4
In this interview, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expresses confidence in achieving record revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025. He discusses the airline’s strong demand outlook, operational improvements, and disciplined capacity management that continue to drive performance. Isom also outlines the company’s focus on enhancing reliability and customer experience as key elements supporting sustained profitability heading into 2026.
Boeing CEO: We Have $600B of Backlog
In this interview, Boeing CEO David Calhoun highlights the company’s robust order book valued at $600 billion, reflecting sustained global demand across its commercial and defence segments. He discusses the progress in stabilising production, addressing supply chain challenges, and ensuring delivery reliability. Calhoun emphasises Boeing’s long-term focus on meeting customer commitments while advancing innovation and efficiency across its aircraft programmes.
Acumen’s Take
The global aviation sector continues to reflect resilience and strategic evolution, with airlines, lessors, and manufacturers alike focusing on capacity growth, operational efficiency, and financial stability. Across both passenger and cargo markets, long-term fleet modernisation and cross-border investments signal confidence in sustained demand. As regulatory, economic, and supply chain challenges persist, collaboration and innovation remain central to driving progress. The industry’s ongoing shift towards smarter, leaner, and more connected operations underscores aviation’s adaptability and enduring strength in a dynamic global environment.
