Also known as wet or damp leasing, ACMI leasing is an agreement between two airlines, where the lessor agrees to provide an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) to the lessee – in return for payment on the number of block hours operated.
ACMI provides the lessee with additional or replacement capacity, even at short notice.
Airlines face operational disruption on a daily basis. Capacity requirements can change at a moment’s notice. Adapting accordingly is vital. ACMI leasing can provide a flexible solution to immediate and strategic capacity requirements.
ACC Aviation provide expert advice and actively manages our clients’ aviation assets, offering a range of services with the primary goal of maximising value and minimising risk across aviation portfolios.
Aircraft and crew can be wet leased in on a short-term basis. A fully-crewed aircraft is provided, minimising service disruption in the event of sudden unforeseen issues (such as an aircraft suffering a technical fault or a lack of available crew).
Even when planned, maintenance can take an aircraft out of commission for anywhere between two weeks and three months – potentially leading to service cancellations. Longer-term leasing solutions ensure that scheduled flights continue to operate for the duration of planned maintenance periods. Aircraft manufacturers are currently operating significant outstanding order backlogs, leading to aircraft delivery delays. Airlines can avoid scheduling issues brought about by delayed deliveries with leasing.
Ensure consistent service across all routes with dependable aircraft coverage.
Aircraft and crew can be wet leased in on a short-term basis. A fully-crewed aircraft is provided, minimising service disruption in the event of sudden unforeseen issues (such as an aircraft suffering a technical fault or a lack of available crew).
Even when planned, maintenance can take an aircraft out of commission for anywhere between two weeks and three months – potentially leading to service cancellations. Longer-term leasing solutions ensure that scheduled flights continue to operate for the duration of planned maintenance periods.
Aircraft manufacturers are currently operating significant outstanding order backlogs, leading to aircraft delivery delays. Airlines can avoid scheduling issues brought about by delayed deliveries with leasing.
When planning ahead for seasonal peaks or testing new markets and routes, operators need to be able to lease in additional capacity for as long as necessary. ACMI provides additional or replacement aircraft quickly – allowing operators to continue a seamless service without compromising their schedule.
Airlines face operational disruption on a daily basis. Capacity requirements can change at a moment’s notice. Adapting accordingly is vital. ACMI leasing can provide a flexible solution to immediate and strategic capacity requirements.
ACC Aviation provide expert advice and actively manages our clients’ aviation assets, offering a range of services with the primary goal of maximising value and minimising risk across aviation portfolios.
The main advantage of wet leasing is flexibility. Subject to availability, lease operations can be started quickly – filling immediate capacity requirements.
Alternatively, a wet lease can be used over longer periods – providing supplemental seasonal availability. Wet leasing is ideal for testing new routes and markets, without having to invest heavily in new aircraft and crew first.
An operating or finance lease, also known as a dry lease, typically requires a minimum-term commitment. Purchasing an aircraft represents a significant capital investment that simply isn’t practical for some operators.
Wet leasing is completely flexible – use it when you need it. ACMI allows lessees to supplement their fleet capacity – without committing to an investment that may never produce a return.
ACMI allows the lessor to achieve greater fleet efficiency with lower risk. By leasing surplus capacity during low operating seasons, lessors can continue to earn without the associated commercial exposure of selling tickets. The income generated from ACMI provides a consistent revenue stream, as opposed to ticket sales’ variable revenue – and generally avoids compensation liability under EU Regulation 261/2004.
By taking advantage of counter-seasonal demand in other international markets, fleet capacity is used year-round – spreading the operating costs across a greater number of flight hours and reducing flight hour rates.
A damp lease is similar to a wet lease – but the lessee has sufficient cabin crew to operate the leased flights. Damp leasing is tailored to an airline’s specific operational requirements to maximise efficiency, by removing the costs of all (or part) of the cabin crew and HOTAC.
Access a pre-qualified database of worldwide operators, ensuring every tail number meets stringent safety and operational benchmarks.
Our experts manage the complexities of short-term ACMI contracting, navigating regulatory, operational and compliance requirements across global markets.
We handle the entire lifecycle of the lease—leveraging our global volume to negotiate highly competitive rates, from initial sourcing and commercial contracting to ongoing performance and technical monitoring.
A dedicated ACMI desk providing round-the-clock monitoring and support throughout the entire duration of the lease.
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The global ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) market experienced a notable slowdown during Q2 2026, with total block hours declining by 18.9% year-on-year compared with the same period in 2025. While
As aviation clients demand greater speed, flexibility and accountability, ACC Aviation has repositioned itself as an employee-owned integrated aviation partner that combines specialist aviation consultancy, ACMI, passenger and cargo charter expertise through one
“On the surface, the ACMI market appears stable, but when you look deeper, there are clear structural changes already underway,” said Dave Williams, Director of Leasing at ACC Aviation.
“We are delighted to welcome Luca to ACC. His direct airline sales and operational experience brings an invaluable perspective when working with our airline customers and suppliers.” Dave Williams, Director of Leasing.
ACC Aviation operates internationally with teams supporting clients across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Asia.
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