09 May 2025
Acumen Daily Aviation Brief - 9th May 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:
- China Aviation Industry Newsletter: This edition covers China’s aircraft delivery trends, airport infrastructure developments, and OEM partnerships, highlighting how domestic carriers are ramping up capacity to match surging demand.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-1-may-2025-china-aviation-industry-newsletter
- India Aviation Newsletter: The newsletter explores traffic growth data, airline financials, and the increasing momentum of regional connectivity schemes, offering a snapshot of India’s expanding aviation ecosystem.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-1-may-2025-india-aviation-newsletter
- Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter: This issue focuses on lessor placements, SPV activity, and asset trading trends involving Irish-managed aircraft portfolios, reflecting Ireland’s enduring strength as a global leasing hub.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-1-may-2025-irish-aircraft-leasing-newsletter
- Irish Commercial Aircraft Update: An overview of aircraft transitions, fleet movements, and delivery milestones tied to Irish operators and leasing entities, offering operational context for ongoing market activity.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-1-may-2025-irish-commercial-aircraft-update
- North American Aviation Newsletter: The North American edition covers fleet expansion, airline financials, and strategic developments across major carriers, including responses to fuel pricing and labour negotiations.
READ NOW: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs/-1-may-2025-north-american-aviation-newsletter
IrishAero News
DAT Wet-Leases ATR72-600 to Emerald Airlines
DAT has wet-leased an ATR72-600 to Emerald Airlines, enhancing regional connectivity within Ireland and the UK. The aircraft will operate under Emerald’s Aer Lingus Regional banner.
Acumen’s Take
This regional wet-lease deal underscores the ongoing demand for turboprops in short-haul European markets. For asset owners, such placements highlight the utility and relevance of ATR platforms in high-frequency, low-density routes—an area Acumen actively supports through transition and lease planning services.
FlyArystan Expands Its Fleet with Irish-Registered A320
FlyArystan has added an Irish-registered Airbus A320 (EI-KFG) to its fleet, further expanding its low-cost operations across Central Asia. The aircraft was delivered from Katowice to Almaty on 18th April 2025.
Acumen’s Take
The expansion reflects continued appetite for reliable mid-life narrowbodies in developing aviation markets. Ireland’s role in such placements speaks to its significance in global fleet mobility—one of the key pillars of Acumen’s asset management and advisory capabilities.
IndiGo’s Boeing 787 Order Shows Irish Leasing Involvement
IndiGo’s widebody order for Boeing 787s includes aircraft linked to Irish lessors, highlighting Ireland’s growing involvement in long-haul asset financing, especially for fast-growing Asian operators.
Acumen’s Take
Irish-linked 787 financing deals reveal a shift as local lessors diversify into widebody programmes. With asset complexity increasing, Acumen’s lease structuring and valuation services are key enablers of efficient long-haul investment.
Aircraft Update
SAS Connect Takes Delivery of A320neo EI-SCF from Toulouse
EI-SCF (c/n 12528), an Airbus A320-271N, was delivered to SAS Connect on 29th April 2025, ferried from Toulouse to Stockholm Arlanda to support the airline’s growing short-haul network.
Acumen’s Take
The continued expansion of SAS Connect’s A320neo fleet reflects the ongoing shift toward fuel-efficient narrowbodies in Europe. For lessors, such placements highlight stable demand across environmentally progressive flag carriers—a trend Acumen actively tracks across EU-based operators.
Star Air Receives Embraer 175 VT-GSK in Bangalore
VT-GSK (c/n 17000337), an Embraer 175 formerly registered as SX-KAA, was delivered to Star Air in Bangalore on 28th April 2025, strengthening its regional jet fleet.
Acumen’s Take
The addition of the E175 supports India’s regional connectivity ambitions under UDAN and other schemes. Acumen continues to monitor demand for right-sized jets in India, where regional route economics and aircraft deployment are gaining strategic importance.
Global Aviation News
China Airlines Finalises Order for Ten A350-1000s
China Airlines has confirmed its purchase of ten Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, further modernising its long-haul fleet with a focus on efficiency and premium service delivery.
Acumen’s Take
This order reinforces the A350’s appeal as a next-generation widebody, particularly in Asia-Pacific. Acumen continues to monitor new widebody commitments to support long-term asset valuation and demand forecasts for high-efficiency platforms.
Capital One Opens Cardholders-Only Lounge at Las Vegas Airport
Capital One has launched an exclusive airport lounge for cardholders at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, targeting premium travellers with a curated airport experience.
Acumen’s Take
Lounge investments highlight growing ancillary revenue focus among non-airline players. Enhanced passenger amenities influence route stickiness and premium traffic—factors Acumen considers in market-level fleet placement insights.
China Southern Airlines Halts Sale of Boeing 787-8 Fleet
China Southern Airlines has suspended plans to sell its Boeing 787-8s, indicating a potential shift in long-term fleet retention or redeployment strategy.
Acumen’s Take
This reversal suggests recalibrated long-haul strategy or stabilising traffic patterns. Acumen advises clients on mid-life twin-aisle asset potential, including reassessing residual value trajectories amid such airline moves.
DAE Receives Additional $282 Million from Insurance Settlement
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has secured a further $282 million through insurance settlements related to aircraft stranded in conflict zones, bringing total recoveries to $752 million.
Acumen’s Take
Successful claim recoveries provide liquidity and risk reassurance to lessors. Acumen’s asset and jurisdictional risk modelling supports clients navigating similar loss scenarios across high-risk territories.
EFW and Confity Capital Sign A330P2F Conversion Agreement
EFW and Confity Capital Partners have agreed to a multi-aircraft A330-300 P2F conversion deal, signalling continued appetite for widebody freighters in long-haul cargo markets.
Acumen’s Take
The A330P2F segment remains a cornerstone of fleet diversification strategies for emerging cargo operators. Acumen supports conversion projects through redelivery oversight, asset valuation, and cost modelling.
HALO AirFinance Completes Mezzanine Loan to Expand Aviation Platform
HALO AirFinance has closed a mezzanine loan transaction, strengthening its capital base and signalling growth in alternative aviation financing structures.
Acumen’s Take
Non-bank financing platforms are increasingly shaping mid-market aircraft transactions. Acumen tracks these trends to help clients identify funding opportunities and benchmark capital structures.
MAS Expands Galistair CMI Deal with Second A330-300P2F
MAS has added a second A330-300P2F to its CMI agreement with Galistair, boosting cargo capacity and operational scale within its managed fleet model.
Acumen’s Take
The extended partnership underscores the value of CMI models in cargo growth strategies. Acumen works with operators and lessors to manage CMI transitions, lease structuring, and conversion pipeline planning.
SKY Leasing Raises $1.35 Billion for SKY Fund VI
SKY Leasing has raised $1.35 billion for its flagship SKY Fund VI, L.P., aimed at acquiring a diversified portfolio of next-gen commercial aircraft.
Acumen’s Take
The successful fundraise reflects investor confidence in long-term aircraft leasing returns. Acumen supports fund clients with independent valuations, portfolio strategy, and SPV management advisory.
Irish Aviation News
Avolon Secures New US$1.1 Billion Unsecured Term Loan Facility
Avolon has announced a US$1.1 billion unsecured term loan, further strengthening its capital structure and funding flexibility.
Acumen’s Take
This move underlines Avolon’s robust financial positioning and market confidence. As lessors raise capital in competitive conditions, Acumen supports clients through funding strategy benchmarking and credit risk analysis.
Dublin Airport to Handle Over 36 Million Passengers in 2025
DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs projects that Dublin Airport will surpass 36 million passengers this year, maintaining its status as a key European gateway.
Acumen’s Take
Passenger growth signals strong recovery and supports further investment in airport infrastructure. Acumen factors such trends into demand modelling and regional fleet planning advisory.
IAG Cargo’s Pharma Shipments Rise 22% in 2024, Led by India and Ireland
IAG Cargo reported a 22% surge in pharmaceutical shipments, with Ireland and India as top-performing origins, reflecting demand for time-sensitive logistics.
Acumen’s Take
Ireland’s role in pharma air logistics continues to grow, boosting cargo fleet utilisation. Acumen tracks such commodity-led trends to inform freighter demand projections and lease placement strategies.
Fly4 Plans to Acquire Two or Three Boeing 737NGs by 2026
Irish start-up Fly4 is evaluating a fleet of two to three Boeing 737NGs for 2026 as it eyes low-cost market entry.
Acumen’s Take
This signals continued viability of NGs in start-up models. Acumen supports early-stage airlines with lease structuring, aircraft sourcing, and entry-into-service planning.
PACE Airports Set to Redefine Emissions Reporting Standards
Irish-led initiative PACE Airports aims to introduce international emissions reporting standards, improving transparency across airport sustainability metrics.
Acumen’s Take
Sustainability frameworks like PACE impact future funding and ESG benchmarking. Acumen integrates emissions data into risk and value analysis for both airports and associated fleet operations.
Paul Kelly to Depart Fáilte Ireland, Will Join RDS as CEO
Paul Kelly, current CEO of Fáilte Ireland, will step down to lead the RDS from September, marking a notable leadership shift in Irish tourism and events.
Acumen’s Take
Leadership transitions in tourism bodies can shift destination marketing focus, impacting inbound air travel. Acumen monitors such changes as part of macroeconomic route demand analysis.
Reputations Index 2025: Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport, and Ryanair Ranked
In the 2025 Reputations Index, Aer Lingus ranked 4th, Dublin Airport 22nd, and Ryanair 95th, reflecting varying public perception across key aviation brands.
Acumen’s Take
Brand perception plays an increasing role in consumer loyalty and policy influence. Acumen includes such metrics in qualitative assessments for airline strategy and stakeholder positioning.
Tweet Picks
@CNBCTV18News The closure of Pakistan's airspace for India's airlines will lead to higher costs & longer flying time, especially for international flights from Delhi & Northern India.
@embraer- Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 Granted Type Certification in Mongolia.
@emirates We’re pleased to announce that Emirates Skywards members can now redeem Skywards Miles for Classic Rewards on all @flydubai flights, across all cabins, starting from 5,000 Miles.
@LSM_eng Rīga named a tourism hotspot for 2025.
Video Picks
Aerdogs Episode 2 – Joe Gillmore
In this episode of Aerdogs, Joe Gillmore reflects on his aviation journey, discussing operations, leadership, and Ireland’s evolving role in global aviation.
Acumen’s Take
Joe’s industry experience sheds light on operational leadership and Ireland’s impact in aviation services—an area where Acumen continues to support through technical advisory and training partnerships.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers: “Aim to Take International Capacity to 40%”
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers outlines the carrier’s ambition to grow its international capacity share to 40%, expanding its long-haul footprint and global partnerships.
Acumen’s Take
This target signals a strategic pivot for India’s largest airline. Acumen supports fleet transition and route strategy planning to match evolving market footprints across emerging economies.
Dubai’s Tourism Boom Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
Dubai continues to report robust growth in tourism, supported by strong airline connectivity, high-end infrastructure, and open visa policies.
Acumen’s Take
Sustained tourism growth in Dubai supports year-round widebody utilisation. Acumen tracks demand trends to assist clients in allocating capacity and positioning assets in high-performing markets.
Etihad Airways CEO Discusses IPO, Luxury Strategy, and Tariffs
Etihad Airways Group CEO delves into the airline’s IPO potential, focus on luxury travel, and implications of international tariff changes.
Acumen’s Take
Etihad’s premium strategy and IPO signals a capital-focused evolution. Acumen works closely with stakeholders to model valuation scenarios and fleet investment alignment under new financial structures.
