07 Nov 2025

Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 7th 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:

READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs 
 

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

EI-FPT CRJ900 c/n 15426 CityJet Ferried to Dayton 28–29/10/25 for PSA Airlines as N616NN

CityJet’s Bombardier CRJ900, registered EI-FPT (MSN 15426), was ferried from Europe to Dayton, Ohio, between 28 and 29 October 2025. The aircraft is set to join PSA Airlines under its new U.S. registration, N616NN. This transfer marks part of CityJet’s ongoing fleet realignment strategy and reflects the continued secondary market demand for regional jets within the North American market.

 

F-HDRK Embraer 190 c/n 190.00605 Amelia Delivered to Marseille 24/10/25 ex VP-CFT

Amelia took delivery of an Embraer 190, registered F-HDRK (MSN 190.00605), on 24 October 2025. Previously registered as VP-CFT, the aircraft was delivered to Marseille to support the airline’s expanding regional network. This addition enhances Amelia’s operational capacity and aligns with its strategy to strengthen connectivity across key European markets.

 

Global Aviation News

BlueLight Humanitarian Airlines Launches in Geneva

BlueLight Humanitarian Airlines, the world’s first dedicated humanitarian carrier, has officially launched in Geneva, positioning itself as a non-profit organisation committed to delivering rapid, neutral, and cost-effective air transport for humanitarian aid, medical teams, and emergency relief. Operating under Swiss principles of transparency and neutrality, BlueLight aims to address a long-standing gap in global crisis response, the need for scalable and dependable air mobility to support disaster zones worldwide. Headquartered in the hub of international humanitarian diplomacy, the airline represents a pioneering step toward improving the speed and efficiency of global aid delivery.

 

BOC Aviation Signs Lease Agreement with Loong Air for Three Airbus A320neo Aircraft

BOC Aviation Limited has finalised a lease agreement with Zhejiang Loong Airlines for three Airbus A320neo aircraft from its orderbook. Scheduled for delivery in 2027, all aircraft will be powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The deal underscores BOC Aviation’s continued commitment to supporting the growth of China’s aviation sector and its long-standing partnership with Loong Air, while further strengthening the lessor’s position as a key provider of next-generation aircraft solutions.

 

Brussels Airlines Reports Adjusted EBIT of €68 Million in Q3, Down 14% Year-on-Year

Brussels Airlines recorded an adjusted EBIT of €68 million for Q3 2025, reflecting a 14% year-on-year decline despite strong operational performance. The airline carried nearly 2.8 million passengers across approximately 20,000 flights up 12% and 14%, respectively, from the same period last year. Its European network performed particularly well during the peak summer months, driven by robust leisure travel demand and strong revenue growth across major destinations, highlighting the airline’s continued recovery and network resilience amid evolving market dynamics.

 

Boeing 777X Delivery Delay to 2027 Will Lead to Losses of €4.56bn

Boeing has confirmed that the first delivery of its long-delayed 777X aircraft programme has been pushed back to 2027, resulting in an additional charge of approximately €4.56 billion. Cumulative losses tied to the programme now exceed €13.68 billion. Despite the setback, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has approved Boeing’s request to ramp up 737 MAX production to 42 units per month, signalling ongoing recovery efforts. The delay underscores the continued challenges facing Boeing’s widebody production amid regulatory hurdles and supply chain constraints.

 

Capital A’s Restructuring Enters Final Chapter, Prepares for Next Journey

Capital A Berhad has announced that all conditions for the disposal of its airline business have been fulfilled, marking a key milestone in its long-running restructuring process. The sale and purchase agreements with AirAsia X Berhad have now become unconditional, with completion expected in December 2025. Following this, Capital A plans to apply for the PN17 uplift by year-end, closing a nearly six-year chapter since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Post-restructuring, two distinct entities will emerge  a unified AirAsia airline group and a multi-platform travel and digital services group reflecting Capital A’s strategic focus on long-term growth and operational agility.

 

CEO Interview: ITA Airways’ Disciplined Strategy

ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart shared insights into the airline’s disciplined transformation strategy during a media roundtable in New York, joined by Chief Communication Officer Pietro Caldaroni. As Italy’s new national carrier and the Official Airline Sponsor of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, ITA Airways is focused on building a modern, globally competitive airline through operational efficiency, network optimisation, and brand development. Eberhart emphasised ITA’s commitment to sustainable growth and strategic discipline as it continues shaping its identity as a resilient and forward-looking successor to Alitalia.

 

Discover Airlines Significantly Expands Its Fleet and Plans to Operate Airbus A350 Aircraft

Discover Airlines, the leisure carrier of the Lufthansa Group, has announced a major fleet expansion that will see its total aircraft count rise to 40 by mid-2028. The airline plans to introduce four Airbus A350-900s from 2027, designating the type as the flagship of its long-haul operations. By 2026, its widebody fleet will grow to 16 Airbus A330-300s, while its short- and medium-haul operations will expand to 20 Airbus A320s by 2028. The addition of the A350 will enhance efficiency and passenger comfort, enabling Discover Airlines to reach new long-haul destinations across the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

 

Emirates Introduces Airbus A350 and Premium Economy Service in Oslo

Emirates has launched its Airbus A350 service to Oslo, marking the debut of its award-winning Premium Economy cabin in Scandinavia. The milestone was celebrated with an exclusive event at Oslo Airport, reaffirming Emirates’ commitment to the Norwegian market. The A350 features the airline’s latest generation interiors across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class, combining advanced comfort, technology, and design to enhance the passenger experience. Since beginning operations between Dubai and Oslo in 2014, Emirates has become a preferred choice for travellers connecting Norway to the UAE and beyond, and the A350 introduction further strengthens this long-standing connection.

 

Forget Flying United Reveals to Wall Street MileagePlus Will Double Its Profits by 2030. Will It?

United Airlines has outlined a bold new revenue strategy, forecasting that its MileagePlus loyalty programme will double profits by 2030. During its Q3 earnings call, the airline revealed a fundamental shift in focus from traditional ticket sales to loyalty-driven revenue, reflecting changing customer preferences. CEO Scott Kirby acknowledged that profitability is no longer just about schedules and fares, but about offering diverse, high-value products and experiences that foster customer loyalty. This evolution signals United’s broader move toward leveraging ancillary and membership-based income streams as a long-term growth engine within the aviation industry.

 

SWISS Grounds Entire Airbus A220-100 Fleet Amid Engine Shortages and Operational Shift

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has announced the temporary grounding of its entire Airbus A220-100 fleet, comprising nine aircraft, for up to 18 months due to persistent engine maintenance challenges and a shortage of spare parts. The move, confirmed by CFO Dennis Weber, is intended to enhance operational reliability and streamline fleet management. Engines removed from the A220-100s will be repurposed to support the airline’s 21-strong A220-300 fleet, which offers greater efficiency and aligns better with current route demands. SWISS said the shift will reduce operational complexity and improve aircraft availability across its network.

 

Irish Aviation News

Avolon Q3 2025 Results and Fleet Update

Avolon has announced strong financial and operational results for the third quarter of 2025, reporting a net income of US$149 million  up 24% year-on-year  and operating cashflow of US$539 million. The Dublin-based lessor finalised an additional order for 90 Airbus aircraft, including 75 A321neo and 15 A330neo, scheduled for delivery through 2033. During the quarter, Avolon acquired 17 aircraft, sold 15, and ended the period with an owned, managed, and committed fleet of 1,159 aircraft, with 99% of its orderbook placed for the next 24 months. Total liquidity stood at US$9 billion, supported by a 76% unsecured debt ratio and US$23 billion in unencumbered assets. CEO Andy Cronin noted that strong aircraft demand and an active trading market continue to drive growth, while the company also announced the return of Chris Jin as Chairman, alongside new board appointments to support its long-term strategy.

 

Belfast City Airport Wins Health and Safety Award

Belfast City Airport has been honoured with the top accolade in the Medium Airport Category during Airport Health and Safety Week 2025, recognising its outstanding commitment to creating a safe and supportive working environment. The airport hosted 27 events in collaboration with 17 partner organisations to promote safety awareness and wellbeing across its operations. Fiona McCurdy highlighted that safety at the airport is driven by genuine care for staff and passengers, rather than compliance alone. Airports chair Ruby McGregor-Smith commended the sector’s dedication to embedding safety and wellbeing into daily culture, emphasising that vigilance, teamwork, and care for one another remain at the heart of airport operations across the UK and Ireland.

 

Dublin Airport Infrastructure ‘Insufficient’ for Growth, Say McEvaddys

A consortium led by Ulick and Des McEvaddy has criticised current infrastructure planning at Dublin Airport, calling it “insufficient” to accommodate Ireland’s rising passenger demand and future traffic growth. The group argues that long-term capacity planning and expansion efforts by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) must accelerate to maintain Ireland’s competitiveness as an international aviation hub. Meanwhile, the DAA has cautioned that U.S. economic policies, including new tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration, have heightened uncertainty and risk across the global aviation sector, further complicating investment and infrastructure planning decisions.

 

EasyJet Launches Belfast City–Edinburgh Route

EasyJet has launched a new service connecting Belfast City Airport to Edinburgh, operating five times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The route, which began on 26 October, strengthens air connectivity between Northern Ireland and Scotland and marks the eighth addition to EasyJet’s Belfast City network since 2021. The airline also operates 36 routes from Belfast International. Fares for November start at £15 from both airports, offering travellers greater flexibility and affordability. The new service enhances links between the two capitals, giving passengers easy access to Edinburgh’s iconic attractions such as the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and Holyrood Palace.

 

Finland’s Easternmost Lappeenranta Airport Loses Last Passenger Service as Ryanair Pulls Out

Lappeenranta Airport, Finland’s oldest and easternmost airport, will cease all passenger operations on 31 December 2025 following Ryanair’s decision to suspend its Bergamo service on 30 October. Despite the city investing €12 million annually over the past decade, EU regulations prohibit public funding for loss-making airports, forcing the closure. The airport’s passenger numbers peaked at 116,000 in 2011, with many travellers originating from nearby St. Petersburg. However, traffic collapsed after 2014 due to border restrictions, the pandemic, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict, leaving operations unsustainable.

 

Holiday Hotspot Takes Home Top Award at NI Travel & Tourism Awards

The 33rd Northern Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards, held on 10 October at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, celebrated the best in the region’s travel sector. Holiday Hotspot Larne claimed the Travel Agent of the Year award for the first time, marking a major milestone for the company. Jet2.com and Jet2holidays also triumphed, winning three awards  Best Airline to Europe 2025, Best Travel Internet Booking System 2025, and Tour Operator to Europe 2025. Meanwhile, Travel Solutions earned multiple honours, including Best Ski Operator, Best Escorted Tours Operator, and Best Sales Support Team to NI Travel Trade 2025. Robert Wilson took home NI Travel Trade Manager/Representative of the Year 2025, securing the title for a third consecutive year.

 

Irish RJ Lessors Impacted as Eastern Airways Ceases Operations

England’s Humberside-based Eastern Airways has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators for both Eastern Airways and its sister company, Air Kilroe, leading to the immediate cancellation of all flights on 27 October 2025. The shutdown affects routes connecting Aberdeen Dyce, Humberside, Wick, Teesside, London Gatwick, and Newquay. Eastern Airways, which previously operated services between Dublin and Southampton, leaves several Irish regional jet lessors exposed to financial losses. Financial filings for the year ending 31 March 2024 show combined revenues of €88.9 million and a modest €266,000 profit, but overall turnover of €80 million and a €26 million loss against debts of €35 million  highlighting the challenging financial landscape that contributed to the collapse.

 

London Court Orders Italy’s Lumiwings to Return Aircraft to Irish Lessor

A London court has ruled that Italian carrier Lumiwings must return its sole active aircraft, an Embraer E195, to Irish lessor Azorra following the termination of its lease agreement. The decision, issued on 10 October 2025 in the case Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited v. Lumiwings Anonymi Aeroporiki Etaireia S.A., leaves the airline without any operational aircraft. The E195, registered SX-LWD, has been grounded at Foggia Gino Lisa Airport since 26 September, ending Italy’s PSO routes to Milan Linate and Turin Caselle. Lumiwings’ remaining Boeing 737-700, leased from Deucalion Aviation, has been stored in Spain since 2024. Meanwhile, AeroItalia is expected to assume Foggia’s incentive programme for scheduled services.

 

Ryanair Expands Malmö Operations with Three Routes for Summer 2026

Ryanair is expanding its operations at Malmö Airport for the Summer 2026 season with the launch of three routes, two new services to London Stansted and Warsaw Modlin, along with the resumption of flights to Zagreb. Starting 30 March 2026, Malmö–Zagreb will operate four times weekly, while Malmö–Warsaw Modlin will run twice weekly. From 1 April 2026, the Malmö–London Stansted service will also begin with two weekly flights.According to Elizabeth Axtelius, Director of Aviation Business at Swedavia, this expansion highlights strong demand for international connectivity between southern Sweden and key European markets. The new routes will enhance Malmö’s accessibility to both Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom, further strengthening the airport’s position as a regional hub for affordable international travel.

 

Tweet Picks

@flightradar24 Spirit plans to reject 87 additional aircraft leases with various lessors (beyond 27 already agreed with AerCap), meaning the airline will shrink by 114 aircraft through the end of October. Put another way, that's the entirety of the Air New Zealand fleet.

@GE_Aerospace We’re proud to power Bombardier’s new Global 8000 business jet with our newest version of the Passport engine. Together, we’re making business aviation travel faster, more efficient, and longer in range than ever before.  @Bombardier.

@HofmannAviation Iberia is analyzing bringing in-house Airbus A350 base maintenance as its widebody fleet continues to grow. “We are now analyzing whether to include the A350 to our capacity. But this is still under evaluation,” Natalia Martínez del Río, Iberia Airframe Services Director, told me.

@hjelnaes IndiGo firms 30 more A350-900’s. In 2024 the airline ordered 30 of the type with an option of 40 more and is now exercising 30 of this option. RR Trent XWB-84 to power the A350-900 fleet. IndiGo is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world!.

 

Video Picks

Painting the Emirates Boeing 777 Livery Timelapse

This captivating timelapse video showcases the meticulous process of painting Emirates’ iconic Boeing 777 livery, a blend of precision engineering and artistic craftsmanship. Viewers can watch as skilled technicians apply the signature red, green, and black colours of the UAE flag, followed by Emirates’ elegant gold branding across the fuselage. The footage captures the intricate coordination, attention to detail, and teamwork that go into maintaining one of the world’s most recognisable and visually striking airline liveries.

 

 

Shannon (EISN) ATC Centre 1984–2025

This retrospective video offers a fascinating look at the evolution of Shannon’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) Centre from its inception in 1984 to its modern-day operations in 2025. Featuring archival footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes visuals, it highlights four decades of technological innovation, infrastructure growth, and the expertise of Ireland’s air traffic professionals. The video pays tribute to Shannon’s pivotal role in managing transatlantic traffic and ensuring aviation safety, celebrating its enduring contribution to both Irish and global aviation.

 

 

The Flight Path Forward

This insightful video, The Flight Path Forward, brings together aviation leaders and experts to discuss the industry’s future from sustainability and digital transformation to operational resilience and workforce evolution. The session explores how airlines, manufacturers, and regulators are redefining air travel through innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement. With a focus on shaping a smarter, greener, and more connected aviation ecosystem, the discussion highlights the collective efforts driving the next chapter of global aviation growth.

 

 

Acumen’s Take 

This week’s aviation updates highlight a sector balancing transformation with resilience. From fleet modernisations and restructuring to the rise of new service models and market realignments, global and Irish aviation continue to adapt to evolving operational and financial realities. Lessors, airlines, and airports alike are pursuing efficiency, diversification, and sustainability as strategic imperatives. The steady recovery in passenger traffic and renewed investment across the value chain reinforce confidence in long-term growth even as infrastructure, supply, and regulatory challenges demand continued agility and collaboration.