06 Feb 2026
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 6th February 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
Cork Airport hosts Air Calédonie ATR 72-600
Cork Airport welcomed an unusual visitor on 23 December 2025 as Air Calédonie’s ATR 72-600, registered F-OZNO, arrived from far outside its typical South Pacific operating environment. Built in 2017 and formerly registered as F-WWEH, the aircraft is part of the carrier’s turboprop fleet serving New Caledonia. The visit highlights ongoing fleet optimisation activity, with Air Calédonie confirming the sale of surplus aircraft as a cash-preservation measure amid reduced traffic levels and scaled-back operations.
Dublin Airport Hosts Silk Way West Boeing 747-400F
Dublin Airport saw one of its most notable cargo movements of the winter season with the arrival of a Silk Way West Airlines Boeing 747-400F on St Stephen’s Day. The aircraft, registered 4K-SW888 and operating as flight AZQ1251, arrived from Baku at 13:07 before continuing onward to Shannon later that afternoon. The rotation underlines Ireland’s continued role as a strategic cargo waypoint for long-haul freighter operators, with Silk Way West utilising both Dublin and Shannon as part of its established European operating pattern.
Jettime Operates Selected Finnair Helsinki–Dublin Services
Jettime A/S has extended its partnership with Finnair under the carriers’ first full-year ACMI agreement, covering operations from winter 2025 through October 2026. The Danish operator will provide two 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft to support Finnair’s short-haul network, including services between Helsinki and Dublin. Based in Copenhagen, Jettime will deploy the aircraft with a dedicated flight deck and cabin crew stationed in Helsinki, reinforcing Finnair’s network resilience and capacity flexibility across key European routes.
Aircraft Update
OE-IKE Airbus A320-216 Delivered to Kemble
An Airbus A320-216, registered OE-IKE (c/n 3299), was positioned to Kemble on 24 January 2026 for Avolon Leasing. The aircraft was previously operated as PK-AZP and its arrival reflects continued secondary-market activity in the A320ceo segment, as lessors reposition mid-life narrowbodies for remarketing, transition, or preparation for onward placement.
OE-IWV Airbus A320-271N Registered at Sofia
An Airbus A320-271N, registered OE-IWV (c/n 9091), was registered at Sofia on 19 December 2025 for Banc of America Leasing. The aircraft was previously operated as VT-IJK, and the registration reflects ongoing transition activity within the A320neo fleet as lessors continue to reposition next-generation narrowbodies across jurisdictions in line with lease and placement requirements.
Global Aviation News
GHI Safety Conference to Take Place at London Gatwick
The GHI Safety Conference will be held on 24 February 2026 at the Hilton London Gatwick, bringing together ground handling and airport operations professionals to address ramp safety and operational risk. The event will feature interactive safety roundtable discussions focused on real-world challenges. Sessions will cover GSE innovation, ramp communications, telematics and fleet data, and the use of VR training to improve safety performance and reduce incidents across ground operations.
GraySky Aviation Establishs Board of Advisors to Strengthen Strategic Direction
GraySky Aviation has announced the formation of a Board of Advisors following its first full year of operations in 2025, reinforcing its focus on disciplined growth in the mid-to-end of life aviation finance market. Jennifer Villa and Ygal Levy have been appointed as inaugural members, bringing experience across aviation, finance, technology, and AI-led transformation. The move signals GraySky’s intent to deepen strategic oversight as it pursues market expansion, partnership development, and long-term platform scalability.
Gulf Air Expands Summer 2026 Network With Málaga and Al Alamein
Gulf Air has announced the launch of two new seasonal leisure routes for summer 2026, adding Málaga in Spain and Al Alamein in Egypt to its growing network. The new services aim to meet rising summer travel demand from Bahrain and across the GCC for Mediterranean and coastal destinations.
JetBlue Q4 2025 Earnings Highlight Cost Pressures Despite Revenue Outperformance
JetBlue Airways reported Q4 2025 operating revenue of US$2.24 billion, down 1.5% year-on-year, with a loss of US$0.49 per share, slightly wider than expectations. Unit revenue rose 0.2%, materially outperforming guidance, supported by stronger demand and improved loyalty and ancillary revenue, though cost pressures remained acute with CASM ex-fuel up 6.7%. CEO Joanna Geraghty said the JetForward transformation delivered US$305 million in incremental EBIT in 2025, exceeding initial targets, with a further US$310 million planned for 2026 as the airline works toward a US$850–950 million EBIT uplift by 2027.
Jetcraft Commercial Delivers Two CRJ-1000s to New Iraqi Carrier Basra Airlines
Jetcraft Commercial has delivered two Bombardier CRJ-1000 regional jets to Basra Airlines, marking a key milestone ahead of the carrier’s planned launch in March 2026. The aircraft deliveries supported the airline’s successful receipt of its Air Operator Certificate on 24 December 2025, clearing a critical regulatory step. The CRJ-1000s will initially operate domestic services from Baghdad, with regional routes planned to destinations including Dubai, Beirut, and Amman as Basra Airlines begins commercial operations.
KGAL Completes Two Aircraft Transactions for APF5 Fund
KGAL has completed two aircraft transactions for its APF 5 aircraft portfolio via GOAL, the long-standing joint venture with Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The first transaction involved an investment in a leasing deal for a newly delivered Boeing 737 MAX 8, while the second marked the fund’s first portfolio sale of an Airbus A350-900. KGAL said the A350-900 sale was executed as planned and delivered a strong outcome for the fund, reflecting continued liquidity and value realisation in the widebody market.
KF Aerospace and AEI Deliver World’s First Boeing 737-800 Combi
KF Aerospace and Aviation Engineers Inc. (AEI) have achieved a global first with the certification of the Boeing 737-800 Combi, following approval from Transport Canada under Supplemental Type Certificate SA25-72. The aircraft features a forward cargo compartment with five pallet positions and a 90-seat passenger cabin aft, creating a flexible multi-role configuration not currently in operation elsewhere worldwide. The first converted aircraft was completed in October 2025 and delivered to Air Inuit, supporting fleet modernisation and enhanced mixed passenger-cargo operations.
IATA World Legal Symposium to Address Liability Challenges in Global Aviation
The International Air Transport Association will host the 2026 World Legal Symposium (WLS) in Warsaw from 17–19 February, under the theme Liability in a Changing World, with LOT Polish Airlines acting as host airline. The event will examine how airlines are navigating an expanding liability landscape, spanning traditional insured risks alongside newer pressures such as ESG compliance, greenwashing, taxation, data privacy, and artificial intelligence. Set against shifting consumer protection regimes, trade policy, and geopolitics, the symposium will focus on growing divergence in national liability rules and the challenges this poses to the consistent application of international aviation treaties, a concern IATA says is increasingly affecting global airline operations.
Malaysia Aviation Group Announces New Executive Leadership Appointments
Malaysia Aviation Group has announced two senior leadership appointments effective 1 February 2026, reinforcing its executive team as the group enters a critical phase of transformation. Bryan Foong Chee Yeong has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business, while Low Wen Long takes on the role of Group Chief Strategy Officer, both reporting to President and Group CEO-designate Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar. The appointments are intended to support the execution of MAG’s Long-Term Business Plan 3.0, with a focus on strengthening core operations, driving growth initiatives, and maintaining financial resilience across the group.
MAX 8-200 Breaks 100 ASM per Gallon, Resets Efficiency Benchmark
New analysis based on the latest US DOT T2 data shows the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 surpassing the 100 ASM per gallon threshold, a milestone that redefines single-aisle fuel efficiency. The aircraft’s performance places it within striking distance of the Airbus A321neo, long regarded as the benchmark in this metric, and helps explain why high-density operators like Ryanair committed heavily to the type. Crossing the 100 ASM per gallon mark establishes a new baseline for next-generation narrowbodies, raising the bar for future efficiency gains across the segment.
Irish Aviation News
Government Pushes Back on US Claims Over Dublin Airport Passenger Cap
The Irish Government has rejected claims from a US airline lobby group that Ireland has breached the EU–US Open Skies Agreement due to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, stating that the cap is not government policy. In a letter to the US Department of Transportation, the Department of Transport said there was “no merit” to the allegation, noting that officials are progressing legislative solutions while navigating domestic planning rules and EU environmental regulations, alongside an active planning application seeking to lift the cap.
Holiday World Show Dublin Attracts Over 30,000 Visitors
The Holiday World Show Dublin marked its 35th anniversary with a strong turnout of more than 30,000 visitors at the RDS Simmonscourt, reflecting sustained consumer appetite for travel planning. Organisers reported high engagement with exhibitors, particularly around less conventional destinations, with many stands generating significant on-the-spot bookings and new business connections. The event highlighted renewed confidence in travel demand across both domestic and international markets, reinforcing the role of large-scale travel exhibitions in converting interest directly into bookings.
Dublin Airport Records 36.4 Million Passengers in 2025
Dublin Airport handled a record 36.43 million passengers in 2025, marking its busiest year on record and a 5.1% increase compared with 2024, underlining sustained demand for air travel through Ireland’s primary hub. The total included 1.7 million transfer passengers, a slight 3% decline year-on-year, reflecting evolving network and connectivity patterns. Alongside traffic growth, independently measured passenger satisfaction scores rose steadily throughout the year, reaching all-time highs and highlighting improved operational performance despite higher volumes.
Ryanair Q3 2026 Earnings Beat Expectations Amid Traffic and Fare Growth
Ryanair Holdings plc reported a stronger-than-expected Q3 2026 performance, posting earnings per share of US$0.20 versus market expectations of US$0.18. Pre-exceptional profit after tax reached €115 million, supported by solid demand trends, with traffic up 6% to 47.5 million passengers and average fares rising 4% year-on-year. Revenue per passenger increased by 3%, while unit costs remained flat, reflecting continued tight cost control. Results were partially offset by an €85 million exceptional charge linked to an Italian AGCM fine, which Ryanair has described as unfounded and is appealing.
Top 10 Holidays from Knock Ireland West Airport in 2026
Knock Ireland West Airport continues to strengthen its role as a key regional gateway, with a diverse mix of holiday options available for travellers in 2026. The airport’s latest lineup highlights strong demand for sun, city, and short-haul leisure travel, offering direct access to popular destinations across Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, and mainland Europe. The range of routes underlines Knock’s importance in supporting outbound tourism from the west of Ireland while providing convenient, close-to-home alternatives to the country’s larger hubs.
Travel Counsellors Highlight Irish Travel Trends Shaping 2026
Travel Counsellors Ireland has outlined key travel trends set to define Irish holiday demand in 2026, pointing to a strong surge in cruise bookings, growing interest in so-called “coolcations,” and a shift towards earlier summer travel. The data shows Irish families increasingly opting for June departures to avoid peak-season crowds and costs, while cooler northern and alpine destinations gain appeal as travellers seek more comfortable climates. Together, the trends reflect changing traveller priorities around value, flexibility, and climate-aware holiday planning.
Travel Media Awards to Return Following Meet the Media 2026
TravelMedia.ie has confirmed the return of the Travel Media Awards, taking place after Meet the Media 2026 on Monday, 9 February at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin. Presented by Carlos Oliveira, Director of Visit Portugal Ireland, the awards recognise excellence across Irish travel journalism, broadcasting, photography, video, and digital content, while highlighting strong collaboration between the media and the travel trade. Now a well-established fixture of Meet the Media, the awards will once again conclude the day’s networking with a focused, peer-led celebration of outstanding contribution to the Irish travel and tourism sector.
Waterford Airport–SETU Partnership to Be Debated in European Parliament
A proposed partnership between Waterford Airport and South East Technological University will be discussed this week in the European Parliament, as Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú calls for the airport to be developed into a European centre for drone technology. The Strasbourg debate will examine the EU’s preparedness for modern security challenges, with a focus on the expanding role of drones across defence, emergency response, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and maritime security. Ní Mhurchú said the South East is well positioned to lead in this rapidly growing sector, highlighting the strategic importance of drones in policing coastlines and supporting critical public services.
Witness History: The Irish Priest Who Built an Airport
A recent Witness History podcast revisits the remarkable story of how Monsignor James Horan drove the creation of Knock Airport, which opened in rural County Mayo in May 1986. Despite skepticism about building an airport in boggy, fog-prone terrain, Horan successfully raised millions and persuaded politicians that the west of Ireland could support a global gateway, largely to serve the more than one million pilgrims who travel annually to the Knock Shrine. Through eyewitness recollections from those involved at the time, the episode captures how vision, persistence, and local belief transformed an unlikely idea into a lasting piece of Ireland’s aviation and regional development story.
WSA Delivers Boeing 737-800BDSF Aircraft to Swiftair
World Star Aviation has completed the delivery of a Boeing 737-800BDSF freighter to Swiftair, supporting the operator’s ongoing fleet renewal and growth strategy. The aircraft strengthens Swiftair’s narrowbody cargo fleet, enhancing flexibility across its regional and intra-European operations where demand for efficient, medium-capacity freighters remains strong. The delivery reflects continued collaboration between the two companies and underlines the role of converted 737 freighters in meeting evolving air cargo requirements across Europe.
Tweet Picks
@Airline_Weekly “American Airlines is positioned for significant upside in 2026 and beyond,” said American CEO Robert Isom in a statement. As part of its plan, it is continuing its premium push as part of an effort to chase the record profits at rivals Delta and United.
@routesonline Hamad International Airport served a total of 52.7 million passengers in 2024, and the momentum has carried into 2025, with Q3 being the busiest in its history. Hamad Al-Khater, Chief Operating Officer, spoke about the vision behind the airport’s growth:
@routesonline Regional & City Airports has experienced an uplift in passenger numbers over the last 12 months with 25% year-on-year growth. CEO Andrew Bell discusses the group’s latest successes and strategic opportunities for network growth during #RoutesWorld.
@RunwayGirl As Viasat supports KLM's rollout of free Wi-Fi on European flights, it says it anticipates a healthy initial take-up rate of 30-40%, “which we fully expect to grow steadily as passengers become more accustomed to enjoying this complimentary service.”
Video Picks
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Addresses Media Amid Elon Musk Row
In this video, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary gives a press conference responding to the high-profile exchange with Elon Musk, offering his characteristically direct take on the situation. The discussion touches on Ryanair’s public positioning, media dynamics, and how outspoken leadership increasingly intersects with broader public and social media debates beyond aviation.
Ryanair Group CFO Neil Sorahan on Q3 Results, Musk Feud and Growth Outlook
In this video, Ryanair Group CFO Neil Sorahan discusses the airline’s Q3 performance, providing insight into traffic growth, fare trends, and cost discipline, while also addressing the recent public exchange involving Elon Musk. Sorahan outlines how Ryanair is navigating near-term noise while keeping focus on execution and long-term scale.
Watch CNBC’s Full Interview with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
In this interview with CNBC, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby shares his views on demand trends, fleet strategy, and United’s competitive positioning as the airline navigates capacity growth, cost pressures, and a shifting global travel environment. The discussion offers insight into how United is balancing network expansion, premium demand, and operational discipline heading into the next phase of the cycle.
Acumen’s Take
The aviation market continues to operate with strong underlying demand, but success is increasingly defined by execution rather than expansion alone. Asset availability, cost discipline, and operational resilience are shaping competitive advantage across airlines, lessors, and service providers. Capital remains selective, favouring platforms with clear strategy and balance sheet flexibility. As the cycle matures, consistency and adaptability are proving more valuable than headline growth.
