Aircraft for Lease: Dry Lease, Wet Lease & ACMI Solutions
Need capacity without buying an aircraft outright? MEGA arranges dry lease, wet lease and ACMI solutions matched to your operation, route and timeline.
- Dry lease: Aircraft only, your crew
- Wet lease / ACMI: Aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance
- Typical term: From short-term to multi-year
- Handled: Contracts, compliance, logistics
- Operator-grade experience.
- Dry, wet and ACMI options.
- Based in the UAE, working worldwide.
Aircraft leasing with MEGA
Leasing an aircraft means gaining access to capacity without committing to the full cost and long-term risk of ownership. Whether you are an airline covering a seasonal spike, a charter operator expanding your fleet, or a corporation that needs guaranteed access to an aircraft, leasing can be the more flexible route.
MEGA arranges aircraft leasing across the spectrum, from a straightforward dry lease to a full wet lease (ACMI) package, and we structure each arrangement around your operation rather than offering a single fixed product.
What is aircraft leasing?
Aircraft leasing is an arrangement where you operate an aircraft you don't own, for an agreed period and under agreed terms, without transferring title. It sits between outright ownership and a one-off charter, and it is used throughout commercial and private aviation: roughly half the aircraft flown by airlines worldwide are leased rather than owned outright.
The two core structures are dry lease and wet lease, and most leasing decisions start by working out which one actually fits your situation.
Dry lease vs wet lease (ACMI): what's the difference?
- Dry lease. You lease the aircraft only, without crew, maintenance or insurance. You operate it on your own Air Operator's Certificate, using your own crew and livery. Dry leases are typically longer-term, often running from two years upward, and suit operators who already have the crew, maintenance and regulatory capability in place.
- Wet lease (ACMI). Short for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance, a wet lease provides the aircraft fully crewed and supported by the lessor. It is the faster route to capacity, since you are not building operational infrastructure around the aircraft, and it typically costs more per period than a dry lease as a result.
- Damp lease. A variation on wet lease with less than a full cabin crew provided, used less often but available where it fits the operation.
There is no single better option. A long-term fleet addition usually points toward a dry lease, while a short-term capacity gap, a grounded aircraft, or an urgent route need is usually better solved with a wet lease.
Who leases aircraft, and why
- Airlines. Covering seasonal demand, filling a gap while new aircraft are delayed, or adding capacity on a route without a multi-year ownership commitment.
- Charter and Part 135-style operators. Expanding available capacity to meet demand without the capital outlay of a purchase, or testing a new aircraft type before buying.
- Cargo operators. Leasing aircraft that meet the specific load and compliance requirements particular routes or contracts demand.
- Corporations. Companies that fly executives regularly sometimes lease rather than own, to get guaranteed access to an aircraft without carrying it on the balance sheet in the same way a purchase would.
- Private individuals and family offices. Longer-term access to a specific aircraft type, without the ownership and resale exposure that comes with buying outright.
What decides the right lease structure
- Duration. A short-term need, typically under a couple of years, tends to suit a wet lease or an operating-style dry lease. A longer commitment can justify a dry lease with more favourable terms.
- Operational capability. If you already have crew, maintenance oversight and the regulatory approvals in place, a dry lease lets you control operations directly. If you don't, a wet lease removes that burden.
- Speed to operation. A wet lease can put an aircraft into service far faster than arranging your own crew, maintenance and insurance from scratch, which matters when a gap needs filling quickly.
- Balance sheet treatment. Dry leases are generally structured as operating or finance leases, and each is treated differently on the lessee's books. Your finance team should weigh in on this before you commit.
- Regulatory limits. Many regulators cap how long an aircraft can be wet leased before other rules apply, so the permitted duration can shape which structure makes sense.
How MEGA supports your lease
- Needs assessment. We start by understanding your route network, fleet gap, timeline and operational capability, so the structure we propose actually fits.
- Aircraft sourcing. Drawing on our network, we identify aircraft that meet your specifications, whether you need a single business jet or capacity for a wider operation.
- Lease structuring. We help structure the arrangement, dry, wet or damp, around your operational and commercial requirements.
- Contract and compliance support. Leasing involves regulatory and contractual detail that varies by jurisdiction and aircraft type. We coordinate this so nothing is missed.
- Ongoing support. From the start of the lease through to its conclusion, you have a single point of contact rather than a handover between departments.
Why clients choose MEGA
MEGA is a UAE-based private aviation company with a 24/7 desk covering Dubai, Riyadh and clients worldwide, and we work across private jet charter, aircraft management, medevac and leasing. That breadth means we understand both sides of a lease, the aircraft and the operation it needs to support, rather than just brokering a contract.
- Operator-grade understanding of dry, wet and ACMI structures
- Access to a wide network of available aircraft
- Hands-on support through contracting and compliance
- A single point of contact throughout the lease term
Aircraft leasing vs other options
If your need is a single flight or a short series of flights, a private jet charter is usually simpler and faster than leasing. If you already own or lease an aircraft and need someone to run it for you, our aircraft management service may be the better fit. Leasing makes the most sense when you need guaranteed, ongoing access to an aircraft or fleet capacity, without the full commitment of a purchase.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dry lease and a wet lease?
A dry lease provides the aircraft only, operated under your own Air Operator's Certificate with your own crew. A wet lease, or ACMI lease, provides the aircraft together with crew, maintenance and insurance from the lessor, making it faster to put into service but typically more expensive per period.
How long does an aircraft lease typically last?
It varies widely. Wet leases are often used for shorter periods, commonly a matter of months, while dry leases typically run from around two years upward. Many regulators also set maximum durations for wet leasing before other rules apply.
Can a private individual or corporation lease an aircraft, not just an airline?
Yes. Corporations and family offices lease aircraft for guaranteed access without full ownership, and MEGA structures leases for private as well as commercial clients.
What's included in a wet lease (ACMI)?
Aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance are provided by the lessor. Depending on the contract, costs such as fuel, ground handling and overflight charges may fall to either party, so this is confirmed in the agreement.
Do I need my own Air Operator's Certificate to dry lease an aircraft?
Generally yes, since a dry lease is operated under the lessee's own certificate with its own crew. A wet lease is the usual route if you don't have that infrastructure in place.
How is the right aircraft sourced for a lease?
MEGA assesses your route, fleet gap and timeline, then draws on our network to identify suitable aircraft and present options that match your operational requirements.
Is leasing cheaper than buying an aircraft?
It depends on how long you need the aircraft and how it's used. Leasing avoids a large upfront purchase and the risks of ownership, but a long-term lease can cost more over time than ownership would. We can help you weigh this against your situation.
Does MEGA only arrange leases for aircraft it manages?
No. MEGA sources and structures leases across our network, including aircraft we don't directly manage, matched to what your operation needs.
Ready to discuss your aircraft leasing needs?
Tell us about your fleet gap, route and timeline. We'll help you work out whether a dry lease, wet lease or another structure fits best.