November 23rd 2024.
Have you heard about the UK's newest airline? It's called Ascend Airways and it's causing quite a buzz. However, don't expect to easily book a ticket with them. This airline operates a bit differently, working behind the scenes and not selling seats directly to passengers. Instead, they specialize in something called 'wet leasing' or ACMI, which stands for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance. In simpler terms, they provide fully-crewed planes on a short-term basis to other airlines.
Ascend Airways officially launched in April with their first commercial flight taking off from Southend Airport. These planes, also known as 'white-tails' due to their lack of branding, are designed to assist other airlines in need of an extra boost or to cover any gaps in their services. Wet leasing has been around since the 1990s, but it has recently gained popularity due to the rise in air travel.
But how does wet leasing actually work? Rhys Jones, an aviation editor, explains that it's a common practice where airlines essentially 'rent' another airline's aircraft to operate for them. Unlike a 'dry' lease, which only covers the aircraft itself, wet leasing includes the pilots and cabin crew. This allows for a quick and easy solution for airlines in need of additional planes without the hassle of training or retraining crew members.
Passengers cannot book directly onto these flights as wet lessors primarily cater to other airlines rather than individual customers. Rhys mentions other companies that specialize in wet-leased aircraft, such as Titan Airways in the UK. Unlike traditional airlines with scheduled departures and routes, Titan Airways operates solely to provide services for other airlines and charter flights. This means that their flights are not available to book online or through flight search engines. Some airlines, like Finnair, also wet lease from other airlines such as Qatar Airways or Qantas.
TUI, a popular airline, uses Ascend Airways when they need a little extra help at London Gatwick Airport. So what can customers expect when flying on a wet-leased aircraft? Rhys explains that airlines turn to this option when they are short on aircraft or staff. As a passenger, you may not even realize that you are on a wet-leased flight until you board the plane. The service is typically similar to the airline's own operations, with the same flight number. However, you may notice a different uniform for the crew and a lack of branding on the tail of the plane.
While the interior of the plane may be different, airlines try to maintain consistency by offering the same standard meal service as they do on their own flights. However, this can vary on long-haul flights where passengers may expect a particular seat or cabin environment. Ascend Airways, on their website, states that they can provide various catering options, from a buy-on-board service to a bespoke first-class catering experience with an open bar. They can also customize the branding and interior of the plane to create a unique experience for their clients.
But why is there a demand for wet leasing? Rhys explains that since the pandemic, the demand for this service has increased as airlines struggle with capacity. With many airlines retiring a portion of their fleet and laying off staff, they have turned to wet leasing to fill in the gaps in their operations. For example, British Airways had several wet lease agreements last summer with airlines like Finnair, Air Belgium, Danish Air Transport, Avion, and Titan Airways.
Even in a post-pandemic world, the demand for aircraft leasing is not expected to slow down. In fact, it is projected to grow significantly in the next decade, reaching over $400 billion by 2032. So next time you fly, you may just find yourself on a wet-leased aircraft without even realizing it.
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