ACMI vs Dry Lease vs Wet Lease: What's the Difference? (2026 Guide)
- May 27
- 3 min read
When operators, airlines, and private aviation businesses need to expand capacity or access aircraft without an outright purchase, lease structures are the standard solution. The three main options — ACMI, dry lease, and wet lease — serve different needs and carry very different obligations. Understanding the difference is the first step to choosing the right structure for your operation.
What Is an ACMI Lease?
ACMI stands for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance. Under an ACMI arrangement, the lessor provides all four elements. The lessee — typically an airline, charter operator, or private aviation company — is responsible for fuel, ground handling, overflight permits, and other direct operational costs. ACMI is technically a form of wet lease, though the term is most commonly used in the charter and business aviation context.
ACMI leases are valued for their speed and flexibility. An operator can add aircraft capacity within days without hiring crew, setting up a maintenance programme, or arranging insurance independently.
Who Uses ACMI Leases?
Airlines needing temporary capacity during peak seasons or to cover an AOG (aircraft on ground) situation
Charter operators expanding fleet without capital expenditure
Airlines trialling new routes before committing to permanent fleet additions
Operators covering maintenance downtime on their own aircraft
Private aviation companies responding to short-notice client demand
What Is a Dry Lease?
In a dry lease, the lessor provides the aircraft only — no crew, no maintenance programme, no insurance. The lessee takes full operational responsibility: crewing the aircraft to the applicable regulatory standard (EASA, FAA, etc.), enrolling it in an approved maintenance programme, and arranging insurance independently.
Dry leases are standard in commercial aviation and increasingly common in business aviation, particularly for operators who already hold an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and want to expand their approved fleet without the full capital commitment of ownership.
Who Uses Dry Leases?
Airlines and operators with an existing AOC and crew base
Charter companies expanding their type portfolio
Businesses that want fleet flexibility without ownership costs
Operators transitioning toward a future purchase
What Is a Wet Lease?
A wet lease is the broader category covering any arrangement where the lessor provides the aircraft with crew — and typically maintenance and insurance as well. ACMI is a form of wet lease. In practice, 'wet lease' is the more common term in commercial airline contexts, while 'ACMI' is standard in charter and business aviation.
Under a wet lease, the lessee operates under the lessor's Air Operator Certificate. The crew remain employed by the lessor and follow the lessor's standard operating procedures. This makes wet leasing operationally straightforward for the lessee — but it also means less direct control over crew selection and scheduling.
Key Differences at a Glance
ACMI / Wet lease — Lessor provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. Lessee pays fuel and operational costs. Lower responsibility, faster to implement. Best for short to medium-term capacity needs.
Dry lease — Lessor provides aircraft only. Lessee provides crew, maintenance programme, and insurance. More responsibility, more operational control. Better suited to longer-term fleet strategy.
Typical duration — ACMI leases often run from days to several months; dry leases typically cover 1–5+ years.
Which Lease Structure Is Right for You?
The right structure depends on your operational situation:
Need temporary capacity quickly with minimal setup? ACMI is the answer.
Building a longer-term fleet with existing AOC and crew infrastructure? Dry lease.
Want to trial an aircraft type before committing to a purchase? Either structure can work depending on duration.
Looking for the lowest administrative burden? ACMI — the lessor handles the heavy lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum duration for an ACMI lease?
ACMI leases can be as short as a single flight or a few days, though the most common arrangements run from several weeks to a full season. The flexibility is one of the principal advantages over ownership or dry lease.
Do I need an AOC to take on a dry lease?
Yes — if you intend to operate the aircraft commercially, you must hold the appropriate Air Operator Certificate for the jurisdiction of operation. The aircraft will need to be added to your AOC, which requires regulatory approval. The timeline varies by authority but typically takes several weeks to months.
Can a wet lease arrangement transition to a purchase?
In some cases, yes — particularly in longer-term arrangements where the lessor is open to a sale. Structuring a purchase option into the original lease agreement is possible and something Jetvice can explore during initial negotiations.
Related Reading
Speak to Jetvice
Looking to explore an ACMI, dry lease, or wet lease arrangement? Contact Jetvice for a confidential consultation — available 24/7 worldwide.
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