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Latest News Headlines

Ryanair announced (03-Sep-2025) plans to reduce its capacity by 41% in the Spanish regions and 10% in the Canary Islands by winter 2025/26, owing to "excessive and uncompetitive airport charges" imposed by Aena. Details include:

The LCC added it plans to divert two million annual seats to Italy, Morocco, Croatia and Albania. CEO Eddie Wilson stated: "The decision by Aena and its shareholders - including the Spanish Government - to increase the already uncompetitive airport charges by 6.6% next year is the latest evidence that the monopolistic airport operator has no interest in developing traffic at Spanish regional airports and simply wants to focus on making record profits from the country's major airports". Mr Wilson added: "Ryanair remains committed to Spain, but we cannot justify continued investment in airports whose growth is being stymied by excessive and uncompetitive charges". [more - original PR - Spanish]

Background ✨

Ryanair previously reduced capacity in regional Spain by 18% for summer 2025 and closed operations at Jerez and Valladolid, citing Aena's "excessive fees" and ineffective incentives. The airline criticised Aena's repeated fee increases and noted underutilisation at regional airports following these cuts, with more reductions anticipated for winter 2025/26. It called on regulators to reject Aena's proposed 6.6% rise in airport charges for 2026, warning of further seat and route cuts1 2 3.

European Commission, via its official website, announced (Aug-2025) the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) is scheduled to be launched on 12-Oct-2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders, with the system's full implementation expected by 10-Apr-2026.

Background ✨

The European Council and Parliament agreed that the European Entry/Exit System would be rolled out gradually at external EU borders over 180 days, with specific targets for border crossing registrations and provisions to suspend the rollout due to excessive waiting times or technical issues. EU countries could also choose to implement the system all at once if preferred1. The regulation supporting this approach had yet to be formally adopted2.

Air Lease entered (02-Sep-2025) a definitive agreement to be acquired by a new holding company, Sumisho Air Lease Corporation (Ireland), held by Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Aviation Capital and investment vehicles affiliated with Apollo managed funds and Brookfield. Details include:

  • Air Lease will be renamed as Sumisho Air Lease Corporation;
  • Sumisho Air Lease and its order book are expected to transfer to SMBC Aviation Capital as part of the transaction. SMBC Aviation Capital will act as a servicer to Sumisho Air Lease's portfolio;
  • Air Lease stockholders will receive USD65 in cash for each share of Class A common stock, representing a total valuation of approximately USD7.4 billion, or approximately USD28.2 billion including debt obligations to be assumed or refinanced net of cash;
  • SMBC, Citi and Goldman Sachs Bank USA provided USD12.1 billion of committed financing in connection with the transaction;
  • The transaction is expected to close in 1H2026, subject to closing conditions, including approval by Air Lease's stockholders and regulatory approvals.

Air Lease chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy stated: "This transaction represents the best path forward for our company as it will deliver an immediate premium and certainty in cash value to our Class A common stockholders". Sumitomo Corporation Transportation & Construction Systems Group CEO Takao Kusaka stated: "Through this transaction, we will achieve greater scale and profitability, positioning the Sumitomo Corporation Group's aircraft leasing business as one of the largest globally in terms of owned and managed aircraft". SMBC Aviation Capital CEO Peter Barrett stated: "Investing in Sumisho Air Lease, purchasing their orderbook and becoming servicer to the substantial majority of Sumisho Air Lease's portfolio will enable us to deploy our financial scale and strength to meet the evolving needs of our customers and take a strategic lead in reshaping our sector". [more - original PR - Air Lease] [more - original PR - SMBC] [more - Aviation Week]

Background ✨

Air Lease reported strong 1Q2025 results with a 5% year-on-year increase in rental revenues to USD645 million, driven by fleet growth, and concluded significant aircraft sales and insurance recoveries. As of 31-Mar-2025, it had an owned fleet of 487 aircraft and managed 57 more, with long-term lease placements secured for the majority of its order book through to 2027 and beyond1.

marhaba, via its official Facebook account, announced (31-Aug-2025) the introduction of dedicated meet and greet services at Manchester Airport. It marks the company's launch of the services in the UK.

Background ✨

Manchester Airport previously offered its own VIP and meet and greet services, including the 'Friendly Guide' initiative which fast-tracked passengers through the airport for a fee, targeting families and non-English speakers1 2. Several third-party and airline-operated lounges and meet and greet options have also been available at Manchester, highlighting a competitive environment for premium passenger services3 4.

Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism reported (29-Aug-2025) the following tourism highlights for Jul-2025:

Background ✨

Tourist arrivals to Cambodia fell sharply in Jul-2025, continuing a downward trend from May-2025 and Jun-2025, as monthly totals declined from 547,373 in May to 413,560 in Jun and then to 347,492 in Jul. Arrivals from Thailand and China also decreased significantly since May, while Vietnamese arrivals rebounded in Jul after two consecutive monthly declines1 2 3.

UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported (28-Aug-2025) UK airports handled a record 81 million passengers between Apr-2025 and Jun-2025, an increase of 3% year-on-year. CAA reported 75% of services operated on time during the period, an increase of 8%. UK airports recorded 141 million passengers in 1H2025. Additional findings for 2Q2025 include:

  • Cargo tonnage grew 6% to 700,000 tons;
  • Top destinations for international cargo included Dubai, New York, Doha and Leipzig, with "especially high year-on-year growth of cargo tonnage" to Asian markets. Delhi increased 61% and Mumbai increased 41%;
  • Airports across the north of England recorded "especially high growth in terminal passengers", with nearly 750,000 additional passengers passing through Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds Bradford airports. [more - original PR]

Most Read News Headlines

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Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary said he believes sustainability targets - including the 2030 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) target and the 2050 net zero mandate - are "dying a death" (Reuters, 27-Aug-2025). Mr O'Leary added: "I don't believe SAF is a good thing - I think it's nonsense... Over the next 10 years, I believe oil prices will fall materially".

Virgin Australia reaffirmed (29-Aug-2025) the outlook for FY2026 provided in the prospectus for its initial public offering. Highlights include:

  • Demand for air travel to grow broadly in line with GDP growth;
  • Fleet and ASK growth are expected to align with demand growth, including the addition of 12 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and four new Embraer E190-E2 aircraft scheduled for delivery by Jun-2026. The carrier noted that the majority of the new aircraft will be used to replace existing aircraft;
  • Ongoing impact of the transformation programme to support RASK growth, which is expected to reach 3% to 5% in H1FY2026 compared with H1FY2025;
  • Fuel costs managed through the hedging programme, which is in place against adverse movements in fuel prices until Dec-2025;
  • Growth in labour and staff related unit costs compared to FY2025 expected to be modestly above inflation;
  • Airport and maintenance costs expected to grow at above inflation.

Virgin Australia Group's underlying EBIT is expected to continue to improve, delivering a gross benefit of approximately AUD400 million (USD261.2 million) in FY2026. The company also projected domestic capacity increases of 5% year-on-year in Q1FY2026, 3% in Q2FY2026 and 4% for H1FY2026. [more - original PR]

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