09 Feb 2026
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 9th 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
Aer Lingus Regional Connects Dublin and Tours
Aer Lingus Regional has announced a new seasonal route linking Dublin Airport with Tours, with services exclusively operated by Emerald Airlines. The route will run weekly on Saturdays from 6 June to 29 August 2026 using 72-seat ATR 72-600 aircraft. Tours, the largest city in France’s Centre–Val de Loire region, sits between the Cher and Loire rivers and serves a catchment of around two million people within a 90-minute drive. A historic university city and traditional gateway to the Loire Valley châteaux, Tours offers strong leisure appeal alongside cultural landmarks such as the Saint-Gatien Cathedral, reinforcing the route’s tourism-focused positioning.
AJet Takes Delivery of Boeing 737-8 MAX via Dublin
AJet has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-8 MAX, registered TC-OHT (MSN 67109), with the aircraft routing from Boeing Field to Dublin Airport on 17 January 2026 as flight THY6830 before continuing to Istanbul the following day. The handover represents the third of 25 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft allocated to AJet and its parent, Turkish Airlines, all of which are being leased from AerCap. The delivery underlines Dublin’s continued role as a key transit point for aircraft deliveries and supports AJet’s expanding short- and medium-haul network strategy using next-generation narrowbodies.
Ryanair to Boost Liverpool–Cork and Ireland West Airport Routes
Ryanair will increase capacity from its base at Liverpool John Lennon Airport to both Cork Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock for Summer 2026. Services to Cork will rise to daily operations, while Ireland West Airport will see up to ten weekly flights, including double-daily services on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The capacity increase follows Ryanair’s announcement of a sixth based aircraft at Liverpool for Summer 2026, which will add over 250,000 seats, introduce new routes to Marrakesh, Tirana, and Warsaw, and boost frequencies across 11 existing routes.
Aircraft Update
EI-EIB Airbus A320-216
An Airbus A320-216, registered EI-EIB (c/n 4249), operated by ITA Airways, was observed at Ostrava Airport on 28 January 2026 wearing full Star Alliance livery. The repaint marks the aircraft’s alignment with the alliance branding as ITA Airways continues to integrate its fleet presentation within the Star Alliance network.
EI-HUU Embraer 195-E2
An Embraer 195-E2, registered EI-HUU (c/n 19020196), has been delivered to Hunnu Air, arriving in Ulaanbaatar on 23–24 December 2025. The delivery marks a further step in Hunnu Air’s fleet modernisation, introducing the next-generation E2 platform to support more efficient regional operations across its network.
Global Aviation News
Signature Aviation Glasgow Showcases New Facility
Signature Aviation has officially launched its new facility in Glasgow, marking a significant investment in its UK FBO network. The upgraded site is designed to enhance the customer experience, with a focus on service quality, operational efficiency, and premium amenities. Signature said the new facility reflects the team’s pride in its service standards and positions the Glasgow operation strongly for future growth in business aviation demand.
SunExpress Adds Four Boeing 737-8 Aircraft to Start 2026
SunExpress has begun 2026 by adding four new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to its fleet, continuing its fleet modernisation programme. All four aircraft arrived in Antalya during January, with three already in active service and the final aircraft set to enter operations in early February. The deliveries build on five 737-8s received in 2025 and support efficiency gains through improved fuel burn and lower noise emissions, reinforcing SunExpress’s focus on sustainable growth across its route network.
SWISS Takes Delivery of Its Second Airbus A350
Swiss International Air Lines has taken delivery of its second Airbus A350-900, registered HB-IFB, with the aircraft arriving in Zurich and entering the fleet under the name Delémont. Unlike the first A350, which features a special livery, this aircraft is the first of the type to wear SWISS’s classic paint scheme. HB-IFB is scheduled to enter commercial service on 23 February, operating the Zurich–Montreal route. SWISS said the A350 has already demonstrated strong reliability, with further deliveries set to support the long-haul fleet modernisation programme in the years ahead.
The Complexities of Network Churn across European Airlines
European airlines are increasingly reshaping their route networks as they respond to demand shifts, geopolitical uncertainty, slot constraints, and cost pressures, making network churn a key planning tool. While domestic airport pairs across Europe have remained broadly stable since 2019, international connectivity has declined more noticeably, with recovery only gaining momentum from 2022. Structural changes, such as the consolidation of Berlin’s airports, have further reduced domestic capacity. Together, these trends highlight a move towards more selective, flexible networks rather than broad-based expansion.
Tigerair Taiwan Orders Four Airbus A321neo Aircraft
Tigerair Taiwan has placed its first order for the Airbus A321neo, signing a purchase agreement for four aircraft to support network expansion. The A321neo will deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions compared with previous-generation models. The order builds on Tigerair Taiwan’s existing A320 Family fleet, strengthening fleet commonality. This approach is expected to reduce training, maintenance, and overall operating costs as the airline scales its low-cost operations.
TUI fly Belgium Expands Sustainable Fleet with Ninth Boeing 737 MAX 8
TUI fly Belgium has taken delivery of its ninth Boeing 737-8, reinforcing its long-term strategy of fleet renewal and sustainability. The aircraft will be based at Brussels and Ostend airports, continuing the systematic replacement of older Boeing 737 NG models with the latest-generation jets.
United Plans Record-Breaking Summer at Chicago O’Hare with 750 Daily Flights
United Airlines expects its busiest summer ever at Chicago O’Hare in 2026, operating up to 750 flights per day – the largest schedule ever flown by any airline at the airport and around 200 more daily flights than its nearest competitor. The airline will serve 222 nonstop destinations from ORD, including 47 international and 175 domestic cities, reinforcing O’Hare’s role as the premier hub in the Midwest.
Wizz Air Eyes A321XLR Flexibility Amid Narrowing Losses
Wizz Air is exploring the potential transfer of up to five Airbus A321XLR aircraft to another operator as it seeks greater fleet flexibility while losses continue to narrow. The discussions come as the airline begins to see early relief from ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine issues that have constrained capacity growth. Management signalled that improved operational stability is allowing more tactical fleet decisions. The move highlights how carriers are balancing long-term fleet strategy with short-term financial and operational pressures.
Irish Aviation News
A Legacy Written in Rescue: The Sikorsky S-92 and the Irish Coast Guard
For more than a decade, Ireland’s Search and Rescue operations have been anchored by the Sikorsky S-92 fleet operated by CHC Ireland on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Based across Dublin, Waterford, Shannon, and Sligo, the aircraft have delivered round-the-clock, all-weather SAR capability nationwide. The S-92 represents the culmination of decades of evolution in Irish SAR, moving from limited, daylight-only operations to a dedicated, regionalised emergency service. Its continued service underscores the central role of reliable medium-lift helicopters in modern maritime rescue.
ABL Aviation Vice President – Pricing Awarded CFA Charter at Dublin Ceremony
ABL Aviation has announced that J.J. Kelly, Vice President – Pricing, has been awarded the CFA Charter by CFA Society Ireland at a ceremony in Dublin. The charter recognises advanced expertise in investment analysis, financial management, and professional ethics. The milestone also reflects ABL’s strong Dublin presence as a key hub within its global platform. The achievement underscores the firm’s continued focus on professional development and international standards across its aviation finance teams.
AerCap CEO Addresses Aviation Financing Stability
AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly has urged the industry to avoid overreacting to short-term geopolitical and economic noise, emphasising the long-term nature of aviation financing. Speaking in Dublin, Kelly highlighted that aircraft assets and leases operate on multi-decade cycles, with no loss of demand for dollar-denominated investments. He pointed to stable US Treasury yields as a positive risk signal and reaffirmed that the dollar remains central to global aviation finance. The remarks underline continued investor confidence in aviation as a resilient alternative asset class.
Aer Lingus / Emerald Airlines Adds Dublin – Tours in NS26
Aer Lingus will introduce a new seasonal route to Tours in France during the Northern Summer 2026 schedule, operated by Emerald Airlines. The weekly Dublin–Tours service will run from 6 June to 29 August using ATR 72 aircraft. The addition expands Aer Lingus’ regional European offering and strengthens leisure connectivity from Dublin. The route reflects continued demand for point-to-point seasonal services operated with turboprop capacity.
Air Services Dáil Éireann Debate – City of Derry PSO Route
The Irish Government has confirmed progress towards reinstating a Dublin–City of Derry Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service, following a Dáil debate led by Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. Darragh O'Brien stated that preparatory work is under way, with stakeholder engagement ongoing across Irish, UK, and EU authorities. A public market sounding has shown strong interest, with a formal PSO tender expected this spring. Subject to procurement timelines, services are targeted to commence by October 2026, strengthening air connectivity for Ireland’s North West.
CDB Aviation Issues US$500 Million Senior Unsecured Notes
CDB Aviation has successfully priced a US$500 million senior unsecured note issuance, further strengthening its diversified funding platform. The five-year notes were issued under its US$3 billion Medium Term Note programme and priced at a 4.25% fixed coupon, tightening significantly from initial guidance. Strong investor appetite saw the order book exceed US$2.3 billion, reflecting continued confidence in high-quality aviation lessor credit. The transaction reinforces Dublin’s role as a key hub for global aircraft financing activity.
Changi Aviation Summit 2026: Willie Walsh on Industry Recovery
Willie Walsh highlighted continued recovery in global aviation during his address at the Changi Aviation Summit, noting that 2025 marked a solid year for the airline industry. Speaking as Director General of the International Air Transport Association, Walsh pointed to total passenger traffic growth of 5.3%, with international demand rising faster than domestic markets. He noted that international travel remains the primary driver of recovery, while domestic traffic continues to provide a stable base. The remarks reinforced aviation’s return to sustained growth following the disruption of the pandemic years.
Ryanair Reopens Trapani Base, Dominating Airport Capacity
Ryanair has reopened its base at Trapani Airport, stationing two aircraft and operating 24 routes that account for around 97% of the airport’s capacity. The move marks Ryanair’s return to Trapani after closing the base in 2017 and reinforces its long-standing presence in Sicily. Schedule data shows Trapani has featured in Ryanair’s network since 2006, alongside Palermo and later Catania. The reopening underlines the airline’s continued focus on regional bases and market concentration.
TUI Swaps 36 Dublin Permanent Slot Pairs with Ryanair
TUI has completed a swap of 36 permanent slot pairs at Dublin Airport with Ryanair for the Summer 2026 season. The transaction reflects ongoing slot portfolio optimisation as airlines align capacity with network priorities. Such slot movements highlight the strategic value of Dublin as a constrained, high-demand airport. The swap also underlines how established carriers continue to actively trade slots to support evolving operational strategies.
Tweet Picks
@aeroroutes In an interview, French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson used the example of San Francisco or could be Dallas for potential Air Tahiti Nui's new long-haul destinations. But this requires the ability to forge partnership should it plans to do so.
@airwaysmagazine After nearly three decades away from the Dutch market, Thai Airways International is set to re-establish a nonstop link between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Amsterdam from 1 July 2026. The route will operate daily using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
@airwaysmagazine Lufthansa is set to retrofit the Business Class cabins of its eight Airbus A380 aircraft in early February.
@ATWOnline @WestJet plans to launch its first route to Brazil from November, marking a broader pivot by Canadian airlines toward Latin America as demand for U.S. leisure travel remains weaker.
Video Picks
American Air’s Rosy Outlook Undercut by Storm Cancellations
American Airlines outlines a confident outlook for the year ahead in this CNBC segment, pointing to demand resilience and strategic priorities. However, the discussion is tempered by recent weather-related disruptions, with widespread storm cancellations highlighting the operational fragility that can still impact near-term performance despite strong fundamentals.
Air India Unveils Custom-Styled Cabin Interiors for Boeing 787-9
Air India has revealed bespoke cabin interiors for its incoming Boeing 787-9 fleet, showcasing the airline’s continued focus on product renewal. The new interiors reflect a more contemporary design language, aligned with Air India’s broader transformation programme and emphasis on passenger experience across long-haul operations.
Boeing Cash, Sales Rise After Most Jet Deliveries Since 2018
Boeing reports a lift in cash flow and sales momentum as aircraft deliveries reached their highest level since 2018, signalling a stabilisation in production output. The update highlights the financial impact of clearing delivery backlogs, even as supply chain and regulatory pressures continue to shape near-term performance. The segment underscores how delivery volume remains a critical lever for Boeing’s recovery.
Acumen’s Take
Across markets, the message is consistent: aviation is firmly back in an execution-led phase of the cycle. Growth is no longer about adding capacity indiscriminately, but about placing the right aircraft, in the right markets, with disciplined cost and capital structures. Fleet modernisation, network flexibility, and funding resilience are emerging as key differentiators. As demand normalises, operators and lessors that prioritise balance sheet strength and operational reliability will be best positioned to outperform.
