09 Jul 2026
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 9th July 2026
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IrishAero News
British Airways Operates One-Time Dublin Boeing 787-9 Service
British Airways operated a one-time four-class, 216-seat Boeing 787-9 service from London Heathrow to Dublin on Monday, 22 June, operating BAW830/1 and arriving at 14:21 before departing at 16:12 instead of Airbus A320ceo/neo aircraft. The service was operated by G-ZBKB, MSN 38617, leased from Dublin-based SMBC Aviation Capital, making the movement notable for both the widebody substitution on the Dublin sector and its leasing connection.
flydubai Takes Delivery of 69th Boeing 737 MAX via Shannon
Dubai-based low-cost carrier flydubai has taken delivery of Boeing 737 MAX A6-FPJ, MSN 60988, between 5 and 7 June 2026, routing from Boeing Field in Seattle via Shannon Airport before arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB). The delivery marks flydubai’s 69th Boeing 737 MAX and highlights Shannon’s continued role as a routing point for aircraft delivery movements.
SAS Connect Expands Fleet with Additional A320neo
Dublin-based SAS Connect, a wholly owned subsidiary of the SAS Group, has expanded its fleet to 34 aircraft following the transfer of Airbus A320-251N SE-RZD, c/n 12110, named Disa Viking, from sister carrier SAS Airlines. The aircraft was transferred within the SAS Group and re-registered as EI-SCI on 29 May at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, with the update recording SAS Connect’s continued fleet expansion through an intra-group aircraft transfer.
Aircraft Update
SU-NMP Airbus A320-214 Delivered to Cairo
Nesma Airlines Airbus A320-214 SU-NMP, c/n 2106, was delivered to Cairo on 27 June 2026. The aircraft was formerly registered N236NV. The update records the aircraft’s delivery and latest registration change for the operator.
YU-APV Airbus A320-232 Delivered to Belgrade
Air Serbia Airbus A320-232 YU-APV, c/n 3392, was delivered to Belgrade on 25 June 2026. The aircraft was formerly registered 9H-ANR. The update records the aircraft’s delivery and latest registration change for the operator.
Global Aviation News
BOC Aviation Signs Lease Agreement With Qatar Airways For Three Airbus A350-1000 Aircraft
BOC Aviation has agreed to purchase and lease back three Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to Qatar Airways on long-term operating leases. All three aircraft have been delivered to Qatar Airways and are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
Condor Supervisory Board Appoints New CCO and CFO
Condor is expanding its Executive Management Board with the appointment of Dr Pierre Dominique Prümm as Chief Commercial Officer, effective 1 August 2026. Prümm will oversee Network & Partnerships, Revenue Management, Cargo, Sales and E-Commerce. Dag Jessel has also been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective 6 July 2026, succeeding Björn Walther. The appointments strengthen Condor’s commercial and financial leadership as the airline builds the foundation for sustainable long-term growth.
EasyJet Network Shows Strengths And Pressures
EasyJet’s network is drawing attention as the airline attracts potential takeover interest from investment firm Castlelake. Analysis of the UK airline’s network highlights strengths that may appeal to investors, alongside challenges in an increasingly competitive European market
Emirates Brings Global Travel Rehearsal Programme To The Maldives
Emirates has conducted its first-ever Travel Rehearsal programme in the Maldives at Velana International Airport. The programme allows people with accessible travel requirements to experience a guided simulation of the full air travel journey, including airport procedures and onboard environments. Organised by Emirates with support from airport stakeholders and other partners, the initiative helps reduce anxiety and build confidence before an actual flight.
Boeing Tests 737-10 Autoland In Extreme Winds
Boeing flight test teams tested the 737-10 in gusty crosswinds above Midland, Texas, earlier this year. The testing was conducted to validate the aircraft’s autoland system for certification. The automated system is designed to land the aircraft in low-visibility or demanding wind conditions, supporting operational capability in challenging weather environments.
FAA Seeks Industry Input On Ramp Worker Safety
The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting input from aviation stakeholders as part of its evaluation of airport ramp worker safety under Section 353 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. NATA worked closely with FAA officials and industry stakeholders as the safety provisions moved through the Act. The review supports a practical, data-driven approach to improving ramp safety outcomes without creating unnecessary operational burdens.
FedEx Aims To Return All MD-11Fs To Service By Q4
FedEx has returned four MD-11 freighters to operations and expects to have all of its MD-11Fs back in service by the fourth quarter. Rajesh Subramaniam, president, chief executive and director of FedEx, confirmed the plan during the company’s fourth quarter 2026 earnings call on 23 June. Air Cargo News had reported in May that two FedEx MD-11Fs had returned to the skies, based on FlightRadar24 data. FedEx had 34 MD-11Fs at the time.
IAG Invests In Mako As Riblets Move Toward Certification
International Airlines Group has invested in Australian startup Mako and plans to flight-test its drag-reducing riblet film this year on an aircraft operated by one of its airlines. Sydney-based Mako, formerly MicroTau, has closed an AU$28 million Series A funding round.
IATA and IATP Collaborate To Support Airline Supply Chain Resilience
IATA and the International Airlines Technical Pool have agreed to cooperate to help airlines improve visibility of, and access to, aircraft parts. The collaboration comes amid constraints and costs linked to current failures in the aerospace supply chain.
iStrings Aviation Capital Arranges Acquisition Of Two Airbus A321neo Aircraft
iStrings Aviation Capital has arranged the acquisition of two Airbus A321neo aircraft on behalf of a Japanese investor. The aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1133 engines and are currently leased to United Airlines. The transaction was completed in collaboration with CALC and reflects iStrings’ role in connecting Japanese capital with aircraft investment opportunities in the global aviation market.
SAS Orders 18 Airbus A330neo Aircraft To Support Growth And Fleet Modernisation
SAS has placed a firm order with Airbus for 18 A330-900 aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet renewal strategy. The agreement was signed in Copenhagen by SAS CEO Anko van der Werff and Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business Benoît de Saint-Exupéry. The aircraft will support SAS’ international network expansion by enabling higher capacity on existing global routes and the introduction of new routes.
Irish Aviation News
Aer Lingus FAM Highlights Dublin-Denver Connectivity
Aer Lingus’ Ivan Beacom led a FAM group to Denver, with participants from Click and Go Holidays, American Holidays, Sunway, Travel Solutions Belfast, Cassidy’s and Travel Counsellors. Aer Lingus operates Dublin-Denver four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using Airbus A330 aircraft. The 9-hour, 50-minute service positions Denver as a gateway to Colorado for Irish travellers and supports awareness of Aer Lingus’ transatlantic connectivity.
Ireland To Hold Consultation On Air Navigation Services Costs And 2027 Unit Rates
The Irish Aviation Authority has invited stakeholders to a user consultation on actual Air Navigation Services costs for 2025, the 2025 cost risk sharing report and unit rates for 2027. The consultation meeting will be held virtually on 11 August 2026 from 15:00 to 18:00 Brussels time. Documentation and an invitation will be published on the IAA website in July, with notifications sent to the IAA mailing list and registered attendees.
Ireland West Airport Opens The Nephin Lounge
Ireland West Airport has opened The Nephin Lounge, adding to its passenger facilities at the airport. The airport serves as the main international air access gateway for the West, North West and Midland regions of Ireland. It supports more than 20 international destinations as well as business aviation, reinforcing its role in regional connectivity.
Irish Flight Operations Company Supports Repositioning Of Spirit Airlines Fleet
Ireland-based Six West Aviation is supporting the recovery and repositioning of aircraft following the closure of Spirit Airlines in the USA. The work is being carried out as aircraft owners and lessors recover and remarket aircraft previously leased to Spirit. The airline operated a fleet of circa 180 aircraft, with its closure resulting in the largest number of aircraft returns since the failure of Pan Am in 1991.
Kerry Airport Reports Operating Profit For 2025
Kerry Airport has released its Annual Report & Accounts for the 12-month period ended 31 December 2025, reporting an Operating Profit after Taxation of €840,979. This compares with an after-Taxation Operating Profit of €1,373,300 in the previous year. The airport handled 440,367 passengers in 2025, a 5.5 per cent increase year-on-year, marking the strongest performance in its history.
Manna Air Delivery Announces Strategic Pause Of Delivery Operations In Dublin And Cork
Manna Air Delivery is ceasing its delivery operations in Ireland to focus growth on the United States, the UK and other international markets. The Irish-developed drone delivery service completed more than 300,000 deliveries and partnered with over 120 Irish businesses. The company said the lack of a clear national framework has left the sector reliant on local planning processes, creating uncertainty around the infrastructure needed to support drone delivery at scale.
Michael O’Leary Discusses Dublin Airport Passenger Cap
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary joined Pat Kenny to discuss the Dublin Airport passenger cap, one of the most contentious issues in Irish aviation for more than a decade. The discussion comes as the Government moves legislation to remove the cap. The proposed changes could have implications for passengers, airlines and the wider economy, highlighting the continued importance of airport capacity policy in Ireland.
National Print Museum To Host Come Fly With Me Exhibition
The National Print Museum will host Come Fly With Me: Aviation, tourism and Irish design from 17 July to 17 December 2026. The exhibition examines Irish cultural history through aviation- and tourism-related graphic design, focusing on the 1940s to the 1960s. It also highlights the role of Aer Lingus, established in 1936 by Seán Lemass, in connecting Ireland with the rest of Europe during a period of international aviation expansion.
Ryanair June Passenger Numbers Rise To 21.2 Million
Ryanair carried 21.2 million passengers in June, a record for the month and 6.5 per cent ahead of May 2025. The figure was 49.3 per cent ahead of pre-pandemic levels, with a 95 per cent load factor and rolling annual traffic of 211.8 million passengers. Ryanair operated more than 116,800 flights in June, reflecting continued passenger demand and network scale across its operations.
Tweet Picks
@realBobbyHealy Drone airspace management requires design, standards, simulation and above all - tens of thousands of flight hours of operational experience. Proudly built in Ireland.
@ByERussell 3 of Allegiant's new routes from Fort Lauderdale are former Spirit markets — Boston, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. Flights begin in October.
@ByERussell .@AlaskaAir's CEO is understandably bullish on its new European flights. Why now? It's some combination of relevancy, loyalty and that very of-these-times view of an air service imbalance.
@ByERussell Boeing could certify the 737 MAX 7 this summer, with CEO Kelly Ortberg saying the MAX 10 would likely come in “close proximity," via @jmhdinger.
Video Picks
Parents With Free Seating Will Be Sitting In Rows 19 To 22: Michael O’Leary
The video features Michael O’Leary discussing Ryanair’s free seating allocation for parents, with rows 19 to 22 referenced. The update is relevant to airline passenger policy, onboard seating management and customer communication around family travel.
Ray Hernan On Delivering Joy Across The ARI Network
The video features Ray Hernan discussing the delivery of a consistent experience across the ARI network. The update is relevant to network-wide service delivery, customer engagement and brand consistency across aviation-linked operations.
Ryanair Sustainability Day Pathway To Net Zero At Trinity College Dublin
The video covers Ryanair’s Sustainability Day at Trinity College Dublin, focused on the airline’s Pathway to Net Zero. The update is relevant to airline sustainability communication and wider industry discussion around net zero planning.
Acumen’s Take
The latest Daily Aviation Brief reflects a market shaped by fleet activity, financing discipline and continued network development, with airlines and lessors focused on aircraft availability, fleet renewal, operational reliability and access to capital. Supply chain pressure, safety oversight and certification activity continue to influence day-to-day airline operations, while Ireland’s passenger growth, airport policy, regional infrastructure and aviation services underline the importance of connectivity and planning. Overall, the sector remains active, but growth continues to depend on execution, resilience and regulatory clarity.
