The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Aircraft Leasing Explained: Dry, Wet and Damp
Aircraft leasing explained: how dry, wet (ACMI) and damp leases work, what airlines pay per month, and how Ireland became the capital of the business.
Airlines lease aircraft under three main arrangements: dry leases, wet leases (ACMI), and damp leases. Each model defines different responsibilities for aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, shaping monthly costs and operational flexibility for carriers.
Dry leasing involves the airline taking possession and operating the aircraft with its own crew and management. The lessee covers ongoing costs such as fuel, maintenance, and insurance, while the lessor provides only the aircraft and related airworthiness documentation.
Wet leasing, or ACMI, shifts more responsibilities to the lessor. The supplier provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while the airline typically handles fuel and other operating expenses. This arrangement is often used to cover seasonal demand, other temporary gaps, or to test new markets.
Damp leasing is a middle ground between dry and wet. The lessor provides the aircraft and some crew, with the airline taking on additional duties such as fuel and certain on-board operations, depending on the contract specifics.
The article notes Ireland’s prominence in this sector, highlighting the country’s role as a hub for this business model. The focus is on how these leasing types influence monthly payments airlines make and the overall dynamics of the aircraft leasing market.