The 2011 ex-China Airlines Airbus 330-300 MSN 1272 will soon be flying for Saudia Cargo, having been bought by ASL Aviation Holdings Bolster Global Logistics and converted into a freighter. The Gulf cargo carrier has entered into a wet lease agreement with the global aviation services company, for two of these A330-300P2F freighter versions. It spent most of last year (26APR24 – 07JUN25) in Istanbul, undergoing conversion, before then flying to Shannon Airport (SNN) on 07JUN25 to receive its Saudia Cargo livery. During that time is was formerly registered as N810CM and now bears the ASL Airlines Ireland registration EI-LKD. The aircraft has been stored in Dublin since 28JUL25, where it will begin service with ASL Airlines Ireland in SEP25. Delivery to Saudia Cargo will happen during the final quarter of this year, when the second wet-leased A330-300F will also join the fleet. Saudia Cargo’s wet lease ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) agreement covers operational support (dedicated crews), maintenance, and insurance.
“The introduction of this aircraft marks the return of the A330F type to ASL Airlines Ireland’s operated fleet,” the release explains, detailing that ASL offers a fleet of 40 aircraft (mix of B737 and ATR72 freighters) and serves over 50 regular destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia. The A330-300P2F has a range of 6,850 km, a maximum payload of 62 tons.
Eng. Loay Mashabi, CEO and Managing Director of Saudia Cargo, explained: “Expanding our capacity and global reach is a strategic imperative for Saudia Cargo, ensuring uninterrupted supply chains for our customers. The integration of this A330-300P2F, in partnership with ASL Aviation Holdings, will significantly support our network capabilities, enabling us to connect markets with greater agility and efficiency. This pivotal addition directly supports our vision to solidify our position as a leading global air cargo carrier and solidifies the Kingdom’s role as a global logistics hub.”
Dave Andrew, Chief Executive of ASL Aviation Holdings, said, “We are delighted to partner with Saudia Cargo to welcome an A330-300P2F to the ASL fleet. This partnership is a positive statement for ASL as we continue to strengthen and grow. The new A330-300P2F aircraft is ideal for Saudia Cargo’s express shipping and e-commerce services, providing a flexible solution to meet the diverse shipping needs of its customers and deliver reliable, high-quality cargo services.”
