High Ridge Aviation Acquires Airbus A330-300 P2F from CDB Aviation

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)