This article is based on an official press release from Aviation Capital Group.

Aviation Capital Group Delivers Boeing 737 MAX 8 to LOT Polish Airlines

On December 26, 2025, Aviation Capital Group (ACG) officially announced the delivery of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to LOT Polish Airlines. This transaction marks the latest development in a partnership that has spanned nearly a decade, reinforcing the Polish flag carrier’s efforts to modernize its fleet and expand its operational capacity across Europe.

According to the announcement, this aircraft is the first of three Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets scheduled for delivery from ACG to LOT in the near term. The delivery underscores the continued demand for fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft as airlines seek to optimize their short- and medium-haul networks.

Strengthening a Long-Standing Partnership

The relationship between the lessor and the airline dates back to 2017. In the company statement, ACG noted that the collaboration began with the financing of three wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The transition to financing narrow-body 737 MAX aircraft highlights the evolving needs of the airline as it balances long-haul capacity with regional efficiency.

Delivery Specifics

The aircraft delivered is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a model designed to offer significant improvements in environmental performance compared to previous generations. Industry data indicates that the MAX 8 provides approximately 15% better fuel efficiency and a 40% reduction in noise footprint compared to the Boeing 737-800NG, which it is gradually replacing in many global fleets.

“We are delighted to expand our long-standing relationship with LOT Polish Airlines and support their fleet modernization objectives.”

, Statement attributed to Aviation Capital Group regarding the delivery.

Strategic Context: LOT’s 2024–2028 Roadmap

This delivery aligns with LOT Polish Airlines’ aggressive growth strategy for the 2024–2028 period. According to strategic data compiled regarding the airline’s operations, LOT aims to increase its fleet size significantly over the next few years.

Fleet Expansion Targets

The airline’s roadmap outlines a target of growing its fleet from approximately 75 aircraft in 2023 to 110 aircraft by 2028. This expansion is necessary to support a projected 70% increase in passenger numbers, with a goal of serving 16.9 million passengers annually by the end of the strategic period. The addition of the 737 MAX 8 is a critical step in increasing frequency and reliability on core European routes.

AirPro News analysis: Bridging the Regional Gap

While LOT Polish Airlines has committed to a diverse future fleet, including significant orders for the Airbus A220 and Embraer E195-E2 for regional operations, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 remains the immediate backbone of its narrow-body operations. With A220 deliveries expected to ramp up starting in 2027, the 737 MAX 8 serves as a vital “bridge” asset. It allows the airline to capture current market demand and retire older airframes immediately, rather than waiting for future regional jet deliveries. This dual-manufacturer strategy mitigates risk and ensures capacity availability during a period of global supply chain constraints.

About Aviation Capital Group

Aviation Capital Group continues to be a dominant force in the global aircraft leasing market. A wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation, ACG manages a portfolio of approximately 470 owned, managed, and committed aircraft. The lessor has been particularly active in the latter half of 2025, with recent deliveries including Airbus A220-300s to ITA Airways and A321neo aircraft to Wizz Air.

This latest delivery to LOT Polish Airlines demonstrates ACG’s capacity to support diverse fleet requirements, providing both wide-body and narrow-body solutions to legacy carriers in Central Europe.

Sources:
Aviation Capital Group Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from High Ridge Aviation.

High Ridge Aviation Enters Dedicated Cargo Market with A330-300 P2F Acquisition

High Ridge Aviation (HRA) has officially announced the acquisition of an Airbus A330-300 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft from CDB Aviation. The transaction represents a notable strategic shift for the lessor, marking its first entry into the dedicated air cargo aircraft market. The aircraft is currently on lease to MasAir, a Mexico-based cargo airline.

This deal highlights a period of active portfolio expansion for High Ridge Aviation, which was established in 2022 with backing from PIMCO. According to the company’s announcement, this purchase not only introduces the first freighter into their fleet but also establishes their first direct trading relationship with CDB Aviation and welcomes MasAir as a new lessee customer.

Transaction Overview and Asset Details

The acquisition focuses on a specific asset identified in industry reports as Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 958. While High Ridge Aviation’s official statement confirms the model as an Airbus A330-300 P2F, supplementary industry data indicates the aircraft was built in 2008 and is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

The A330-300 P2F variant is widely recognized in the logistics sector for its high volumetric capacity. Converted from a passenger configuration, this aircraft type offers approximately 23% more cargo volume than older generation freighters in its class, making it particularly suitable for the low-density, high-volume demands of modern e-commerce.

Strategic Significance for High Ridge Aviation

For HRA, this transaction serves as a diversification milestone. By moving beyond its primary focus on passenger aircraft, the firm is broadening its asset risk profile. Greg Conlon, Chief Executive Officer of High Ridge Aviation, emphasized the calculated nature of this expansion in the company’s press release:

“This investment is underpinned by our deep understanding of the passenger-to-freighter market and the A330’s reputation as a proven platform.”

This move aligns with broader industry trends where lessors seek to balance passenger travel exposure with the steady demand found in the air cargo sector.

Operational Context: MasAir and CDB Aviation

The aircraft remains on lease to MasAir (AeroTransportes Mas de Carga, S.A. de C.V.), a carrier that has been aggressively modernizing its fleet. Based in Latin-America, MasAir has shifted its strategy away from older Boeing 767 freighters to focus on the more efficient Airbus A330 platform. This aircraft is critical to their operations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

For the seller, CDB Aviation, the divestment aligns with standard portfolio management practices. As a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., CDB Aviation frequently trades assets to manage portfolio age and liquidity. CDB Aviation has been a significant proponent of the A330 P2F program, having served as an early launch customer for the conversion type with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW).

AirPro News Analysis

We observe that the timing of this transaction, late December 2025, coincides with a constrained supply-chain environment for new freighter aircraft. With delivery delays persisting at major manufacturers, the secondary market for converted freighters remains robust. High Ridge Aviation’s entry into this space suggests a confidence in the long-term residual value of the A330-300 P2F, particularly as operators like MasAir require immediate lift capacity that factory-new production lines cannot currently satisfy.

Furthermore, the backing of PIMCO provides HRA with the capital flexibility to execute opportunistic acquisitions like this one, allowing them to absorb assets from major lessors like CDB Aviation who are in a phase of portfolio optimization.

Sources:

• High Ridge Aviation Press Release
• Planespotters.net (Fleet Data)

High Ridge Aviation Adds TUI-Leased Boeing 787-8 to Portfolio

High Ridge Aviation (HRA) has officially announced the acquisition of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management. The transaction, announced on December 22, 2025, marks a significant expansion of HRA’s fleet and establishes new commercial relationships for the lessor. The aircraft, identified by Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 34423 and registration G-TUIB, is currently on lease to the European leisure travel group TUI and will remain in operation with the airline.

This acquisition represents a notable milestone for High Ridge Aviation, a company established in 2022. According to the announcement, this deal constitutes the first asset trade between HRA and BBAM, one of the industry’s largest asset managers. Furthermore, the transaction introduces TUI as a new customer within HRA’s growing client base.

Transaction Overview and Executive Commentary

The acquisition involves a mid-size, wide-body aircraft that serves as a core component of TUI’s long-haul operations. The Boeing 787-8 is widely recognized for its fuel efficiency and composite construction, features that have maintained the type’s liquidity in the secondary market. By acquiring this asset with an attached lease, HRA secures immediate revenue generation while expanding its footprint in the wide-body sector.

Greg Conlon, Chief Executive Officer of High Ridge Aviation, emphasized the importance of industry relationships in executing this deal. In a statement accompanying the announcement, Conlon highlighted the company’s strategic focus:

“This transaction is a testament to our team’s extensive experience and long-standing relationships throughout the industry. We are focused on executing disciplined transactions that support operators while delivering durable, long-term value.”

The deal underscores the operational capacity of HRA, which is led by a team of former GECAS executives and backed by the global investment management firm PIMCO. This partnership allows the lessor to leverage a “managed money” model, facilitating scalable capital deployment for assets like the Dreamliner.

AirPro News Analysis: Market Context

The secondary market for wide-body aircraft has seen sustained activity throughout late 2025. As supply chain constraints continue to impact the delivery schedules of new aircraft from major Manufacturers, existing mid-life assets, such as the 2013-vintage Dreamliner involved in this transaction, have retained strong utility and value.

For High Ridge Aviation, this move signals a transition from its initial launch phase into a period of maturity and aggressive growth. Trading with a legacy giant like BBAM, which manages a fleet valued at over $20 billion, demonstrates HRA’s ability to compete and collaborate at the highest levels of the aircraft leasing industry. Additionally, diversifying its portfolio with a TUI-operated wide-body reduces risk by placing assets with established, global operators.

This acquisition was reported alongside HRA’s purchase of an Airbus A330-300 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft, further indicating a strategy to build a balanced portfolio across different asset types and sectors.

Summary of Key Details

• Buyer: High Ridge Aviation (HRA)
• Seller: BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management
• Asset: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (MSN 34423)
• Operator: TUI (Lease attached)
• Significance: First trade between HRA and BBAM; TUI added as a new customer.

Sources

• High Ridge Aviation