Daily Aviation Brief – 16/03/2026

By Trevor Buckley

March 16, 2026

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Acumen Blogs & Newsletters:

Read more: https://www.acumen.aero/blogs

IrishAero News:

Buzz Scales Up to 87 Aircraft

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/ddepwppw

Aircraft Update:

EI-SCH Airbus A320-251N c/n 13083 SAS Connect Delivered Toulouse-Stockholm Arlanda 05/03/26.

OY-NZU ATR72-212A(600) c/n 1482 Nordic Aviation Capital Ferried to Dinard 06/03/26.

Global Aviation News:

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Unveils Africa-Wide Aviation Financing Platform

Read more: https://aviator.aero/press/african-development-bank-group-afdb-unveils-africa-wide-aviation-financing-platform-to-turn-growth-into-sustainable-profit

Airbus, OMV & ISCC Form Coalition to Accelerate SAF Production

Read more: https://ittn.ie/sustainability/airbus-omv-iscc-form-coalition-to-accelerate-saf-production/

Air India adds 78 extra flights to Europe, US and Indian Ocean amid West Asia disruption

Read more: https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air-india/air-india-adds-78-extra-flights-to-europe-us-and-indian-ocean-amid-west-asia-disruption/

Airfares face surge of 30 to 80pc from Middle East conflict

Read more: https://www.travelextra.ie/airfares-face-surge-of-30-to-80pc-from-middle-east-conflict/

Air New Zealand has 60% of the country’s seats; plans 78 routes in Q2

Read more: https://airserviceone.com/air-new-zealand-has-60-of-the-countrys-seats-plans-78-routes-in-q2/

Barcelona, Lisbon & Amsterdam: American Airlines outlines winter Airbus A321XLR plans

Read more: https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/american-airlines-winter-a321xlr-plans/

Bridges Air Cargo Begins Operations with First Embraer E-Freighter

Read more: https://aviator.aero/press/bridges-air-cargo-begins-operations-with-first-embraer-e-freighter

Brazilian Airline Introduces Widebody Aircraft to Expand Operations to North America and Europe

Read more: https://aviator.aero/press/brazilian-airline-introduces-widebody-aircraft-to-expand-operations-to-north-america-and-europe

Cathay Pacific increases fuel surcharge on most routes as cost of aviation fuel doubles

Read more: https://www.travelextra.ie/cathay-pacific-increases-fuel-surcharge-on-most-routes

China Eastern Airlines Announces Comprehensive Upgrade to International Route Network in 2026

Read more: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260301350229/en/China-Eastern-Airlines-Announces-Comprehensive-Upgrade-to-International-Route-Network-in-2026

Irish Aviation News:

ACIA Aero Leasing closes transaction with EWA Air for two ATR72-600s

Read more: https://aviator.aero/press/acia-aero-leasing-closes-transaction-with-ewa-air-for-two-atr72-600s–

Aer Lingus warned it could face US sanctions if security orders ignored

Read more: https://www.irishpost.com/comment/aer-lingus-warned-it-could-face-us-sanctions-if-security-orders-ignored-305063

Airhub Aviation signs strategic MRO agreement with AerCap

Read more: https://avitrader.com/2026/03/09/airhub-aviation-signs-strategic-mro-agreement-with-aercap/

AVERUS Advises on Landmark Aircraft Portfolio Purchase, Financing and Leasing Transaction in Ireland and Lithuania

Read more: https://www.averus.lt/en/news/averus-advises-on-landmark-aircraft-portfolio-purchase-financing-and-leasing-transaction-in-ireland-and-lithuania

Aviation Industry Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday – 5 March 2026

Read more: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2026-03-05/277/

Avolon raises $420m in inaugural Samurai loan facility

Read more: https://www.avolon.aero/newsrooms/avolon-raises-us420million-through-inaugural-samurai-loan-facility

Brazil Lifts Visa Requirement for Irish Citizens, Opening New Avenues for Trade and Tourism

Read more: https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-03-08/ie/brazil-lifts-visa-requirement-for-irish-citizens-opening-new-avenues-for-trade-and-tourism/

Dublin Airport (Passenger Cap) Bill 2026 Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport – pre legislative scrutiny 4 March 2026 Opening Statement – Ms. Ethna Brogan Assistant Secretary

Read more: https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/34/joint_committee_on_transport/submissions/2026/2026-03-04_opening-statement-ethna-brogan-assistant-secretary-for-aviation-airports-division-department-of-transport_en.pdf

‘The US tourism market is one to keep a close eye on in terms of consumer confidence’

Read more: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ulster-business/features/the-us-tourism-market-is-one-to-keep-a-close-eye-on-in-terms-of-consumer-confidence/a/138626636.html

Turbulent times – inside the new Ryanair documentary

Read more: https://www.rte.ie/culture/2026/0313/1562025-turbulent-times-inside-the-new-ryanair-documentary/

X Picks:

@jonostrower Hidden within Airbus’s full-year 2025 delivery total of 793 aircraft is that the company set a new record for single-aisle deliveries — topping its pre-pandemic output peaks with 700 last year.

@jonostrower On its full yr delivery call, Airbus’s outgoing commercial aircraft CEO said it is still working with P&W on making sure it will have enough engines for its A320neo ramp up to 75/mo. “It is an issue we need to resolve,” said Christian Scherer.

@kpottermn Crazy stat from Delta’s 2025 earnings this morning: The airline posted a $5 billion profit … despite selling $1.1 billion LESS in economy tickets than 2024. Because premium ticket sales made up the difference. Says everything about where the money is in travel right now.

@kpottermn Sun Country CEO Jude Bricker on what happens to @mspairport with Allegiant merger: “We’re going to be able to grow Minneapolis a lot faster, so it benefits our customers here in the Twin Cities.” Specifically references Allegiant has dozens of planes (737 MAX) on order to grow

Video Picks:

Aran Island Discs – Pat Byrne