While the intention of the lessee in the finance lease is the acquisition of the asset, an operating lease is a mere rental agreement over a certain time period. Especially in the business jet segment the demand for operating lease increased in the last period of time. The flexibility of the lessee is much higher and the asset can be easier accommodated, if the requirements of the costumers (customers?) change. The residual value risk remains with the owner of the Aircraft. The lessee pays a monthly installment and also the operational cost of the Aircraft.

Wet Lease

Wet lease means the rental of the Aircraft including the crew over a certain period of time. The Aircraft remains at its original registration in most cases. The lessee typically pays a security deposit to the lessor and pays an agreed part of the maintenance cost.

Dry Lease

In contrast to the wet lease, the lessee takes over the Aircraft without crew. Dry leases are mainly chosen by operators with a period of of up to 12 months plus.

ACMI

ACMI (Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance) is an extension of the typical wet lease. All costs of the Aircraft are included in the lease rate. In business aviation such contracts are closed only for very short time periods.