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

This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and additional industry data.

Philippine Airlines Becomes First Southeast Asian Operator of the Airbus A350-1000

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, marking a major fleet milestone as the carrier becomes the first operator of the type in Southeast Asia. According to an official press release issued by Airbus on December 22, 2025, the aircraft, registered as RP-C3510, arrived in Manila from Toulouse, France, on December 20.

This delivery represents the first of nine firm orders placed by the Philippine flag carrier in 2023. The new widebody jets are intended to serve as the flagship for PAL’s long-haul network, specifically targeting non-stop transpacific routes to North-America. By integrating the A350-1000, PAL aims to modernize its fleet, replacing older Boeing 777-300ER aircraft while enhancing operational efficiency and capacity.

Strategic Deployment and Route Network

The A350-1000 is the largest variant in the A350 family and is designed to handle ultra-long-haul operations with a range of up to 8,700 nautical miles (16,100 km). According to Airbus and PAL statements, this capability allows the airline to operate non-stop services year-round from Manila to the East Coast of the United States and Canada without payload restrictions.

Key destinations slated for the new fleet include New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), and Toronto (YYZ). While long-haul service is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026, industry reports indicate the aircraft will initially fly regional routes to Bangkok and Singapore for crew familiarization.

“The arrival of the A350-1000 marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fleet modernization and network growth. It will be a source of Filipino pride and a transformational step for our airline.”

, Lucio Tan III, President of PAL Holdings

Cabin Configuration and Technical Specifications

Philippine Airlines has opted for a high-density, three-class configuration for its A350-1000 fleet, accommodating a total of 382 passengers. The layout is distinct from many other operators of the type, particularly in the economy cabin.

Premium Cabins

The Business Class cabin features 42 private suites arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. These suites include sliding doors for privacy, fully flat beds, and direct aisle access for every passenger. Following this, the Premium Economy section offers 24 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, providing a 38-inch pitch and integrated calf rests.

Economy Class Density

The Economy Class cabin comprises 316 seats arranged in a 3-4-3 (10-abreast) configuration. This high-density layout utilizes a 32-inch pitch and 16.5-inch seat width, allowing PAL to maximize passenger volume on its high-demand transpacific corridors.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to utilize a 10-abreast configuration in Economy Class places Philippine Airlines among a select group of carriers maximizing the A350’s fuselage width. While this configuration significantly lowers the cost per seat, crucial for profitability on ultra-long-haul sectors, it offers reduced seat width compared to the standard 9-abreast layout found on competitors. We anticipate this will allow PAL to remain price-competitive on routes to the U.S. West Coast, though it presents a comfort trade-off for passengers on flights exceeding 14 hours.

Sustainability and Efficiency

The modernization of PAL’s fleet focuses heavily on environmental performance. The A350-1000 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, which Airbus states deliver a 25% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft like the Boeing 777-300ER.

Furthermore, the aircraft is certified to operate with up to a 50% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with the airline’s long-term decarbonization goals. This efficiency is critical for maintaining the viability of ultra-long-haul routes amidst fluctuating global fuel prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new A350-1000 start flying?
While the aircraft arrived in December 2025, it is expected to perform regional familiarization flights before commencing scheduled long-haul service to North America in Q1 2026.

How many A350-1000s has PAL ordered?
Philippine Airlines has placed firm orders for nine A350-1000s, with purchase rights for an additional three. Deliveries are scheduled to continue through 2027.

What is the difference between the A350-900 and the A350-1000?
The A350-1000 is the longer fuselage variant of the A350 family. It seats more passengers (382 in PAL’s configuration) and is optimized for the longest routes in the network, whereas PAL already operates the smaller A350-900.

Sources: Airbus Press Release