This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.

Avion Express has deployed three Airbus A320 aircraft to Antalya Airport (AYT) to operate on behalf of Turkish leisure carrier Corendon Airlines under a new wet-lease agreement.

The arrangement, announced in late September 2026, provides Corendon Airlines with immediate narrowbody capacity to support its flight operations from the Mediterranean holiday destination.

ACMI deployment in Turkey

The charter and Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) operator confirmed the start of operations via an official company statement. The three Airbus A320s will be based in Antalya, which serves as a major operational hub for Corendon Airlines.

Avion Express stated the aircraft are ready to begin operations, noting the company will provide ACMI services in support of the Turkish airline’s network. The operator expressed optimism for the collaboration, stating they look forward to a “smooth, successful, and long-lasting partnership throughout the operation.”

Capacity management for leisure carriers

Wet-lease agreements remain a standard mechanism for European and Mediterranean leisure Airlines to manage seasonal capacity fluctuations. By utilizing ACMI providers, carriers can scale their fleets to meet peak passenger demand without the long-term financial commitments associated with permanent aircraft acquisitions or dry leases.

Corendon Airlines focuses heavily on tourist traffic between Europe and holiday destinations in Turkey. The addition of three A320s allows the airline to maintain schedule reliability and absorb demand spikes from its Antalya base.

AirPro News analysis

We view this deployment as a continuation of the strong demand for narrowbody ACMI lift across the European leisure market. With ongoing Supply-Chain constraints and aircraft Delivery delays affecting operators globally, specialized wet-lease providers like Avion Express are positioned to fill critical capacity gaps. The choice of the Airbus A320 offers Corendon Airlines a standardized platform well-suited for short- to medium-haul holiday routes.

Sources: Avion Express

Qatar-based Lesha Bank LLC has finalized an agreement with Dublin-based lessor Avolon to acquire a portfolio of 33 commercial aircraft, pushing the bank’s total managed fleet past 75 airframes. The transaction, announced on September 28, 2026, was executed through an investment structure on behalf of the Lesha Aviation Fund.

In a press release issued by Lesha Bank, the company outlined that the acquisition aligns with its strategy to scale a Shari’a-compliant aviation investment platform. The newly acquired aircraft are currently leased to 25 different global airlines, providing immediate and diversified income streams for the fund. The portfolio will be managed by Lesha Aviation Services.

Strategic growth in aviation leasing

The acquisition represents a substantial expansion of Lesha Bank’s footprint in the commercial aviation sector. By targeting established lessees and a strong technology mix, the bank aims to secure long-term earnings resilience and deepen its presence in key global markets.

Mohammed Ismail Al Emadi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Lesha Bank, emphasized the disciplined approach the institution has taken to build scale in the aviation leasing market.

“Adding a portfolio of this calibre, with established lessees and a strong technology mix, reinforces the resilience and long-term earnings profile we are targeting across our Shari’a-compliant aviation portfolio. Managed through Lesha Aviation Services we expect this portfolio to deliver stable, diversified returns for years to come,” Al Emadi stated.

Avolon’s portfolio management strategy

For Avolon, the sale of the 33-aircraft portfolio demonstrates the lessor’s ongoing strategy of active fleet management and capital recycling. The transaction highlights the depth of institutional capital currently seeking exposure to leased commercial aircraft and the continued global demand for aviation assets.

Andy Cronin, Chief Executive Officer of Avolon, noted that aircraft trading remains a core component of the company’s business model, allowing the lessor to realize value from its assets while partnering with growing financial institutions.

“We are pleased to partner with Lesha Bank on this significant transaction. Aircraft trading is a core part of Avolon’s strategy, enabling us to actively manage our portfolio, realise value and recycle capital. This agreement reflects the continued strength of investor demand for aviation assets and the scale and capabilities of Avolon’s global platform,” Cronin said.

AirPro News analysis

We view this transaction as a clear indicator of the robust appetite among Middle Eastern financial institutions for tangible, yield-generating aviation assets. By structuring the acquisition through a Shari’a-compliant fund, Lesha Bank is tapping into a specific investor base that requires ethical investment frameworks while still demanding the stable returns typically associated with commercial aircraft leasing. The fact that the portfolio is already distributed across 25 global airlines significantly mitigates operator concentration risk for the Lesha Aviation Fund. While the specific aircraft types and financial terms were not disclosed in the initial announcement, the scale of the acquisition cements Lesha Bank’s position as a growing player in the regional aviation finance market and underscores Avolon’s ability to efficiently move large blocks of assets to institutional buyers.

Sources: Lesha Bank

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners has authorized $110 million to expand Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airports, adding eight new gates to accommodate passenger volumes that have already exceeded the facility’s design capacity.

Announced in a September 23, 2026, press release, the authorization addresses immediate capacity constraints at the $2.7 billion terminal. Originally designed to handle 13.6 million passengers annually when it opened in 2023, Terminal A processed approximately 18 million travelers in 2024. This rapid growth prompted the agency to accelerate expansion plans to maintain operational flexibility and improve the passenger experience.

Phased expansion and economic impact

The project is divided into two distinct phases. The southern expansion will utilize $100 million of the authorized funds to design and construct a 25,000-square-foot addition. This phase will add two common-use gates, along with new seating, restrooms, and concession spaces. Construction on the southern section is scheduled to begin in 2027, with an anticipated opening in 2029.

The remaining $10 million is allocated for planning, cost estimation, and construction phasing of a larger northern expansion. This second phase will eventually add six more gates, with a phased opening planned between 2030 and 2032.

The southern expansion alone is expected to generate $173 million in economic activity, including $76.6 million in wages. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill noted that the terminal has attracted far more passengers than anticipated, and the expansion will help meet traveler demand while creating jobs for the state.

Broader EWR Vision Plan integration

The Terminal A expansion fits into the Port Authority’s comprehensive EWR Vision Plan, which aims to overhaul the entire airport infrastructure. The current 33-gate Terminal A, operated by Munich Airport NJ, serves as the initial benchmark for these airport-wide upgrades.

Future phases of the EWR Vision Plan include replacing Terminal B with a new facility, upgrading Terminal C, and reconfiguring the airport taxiway and roadway networks. A new $3.5 billion automated AirTrain system is also under development and is expected to begin operations in 2030.

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole stated that the agency left room for growth when designing Terminal A. He added that the new gates will provide modern passenger spaces comparable to the existing terminal while adding necessary flexibility for airport operations.

AirPro News analysis

The rapid saturation of Terminal A highlights a recurring challenge in major infrastructure planning, where actual demand frequently outpaces long-term design forecasts. Processing 18 million passengers in a facility designed for 13.6 million just one year after opening indicates robust travel demand and strong airline utilization at EWR. We view the swift $110 million authorization as a necessary operational relief valve rather than a luxury upgrade. By splitting the project into a near-term southern expansion and a longer-term northern build-out, the Port Authority is attempting to mitigate immediate gate constraints while buying time to integrate the larger six-gate addition with the upcoming AirTrain and Terminal B replacement projects.

Sources: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey