INDIGO'S WET LEASE GAMBLEAN OPPORTUNITY OR A COST RISK?

IndiGo’s reliance on wet-leased aircraft, including six MAX 8 jets, highlights its efforts to tackle grounded planes and expand capacity. While offering flexibility, this approach poses cost and operational challenges, writes AMEYA JOSHI.

- AMEYA JOSHI

IndiGo - India’s largest carrier by fleet and market share, is inducting six MAX 8 aircraft on wet lease, which have come from Corendon Airlines of Turkey. ese six will complement the six MAX 8 which are already in operation and ply to Doha from various points in India. e initial lot of these planes have come from Qatar Airways. e airline operates two more Boeings on wet-lease, which ply exclusively to Istanbul and belong to Turkish Airways. Additionally, it has over 10 Airbus aircraft from operators in Europe on wet lease.

These wet leases are often referred to as "Damp" leases by the airline since the flight deck crew is from the airline operating while the cabin crew sees the IndiGo crew. In the aviation world, wet-leased aircraft play a unique and significant role, offering airlines the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing operational needs. A wet lease is a leasing arrangement wherein the lessor provides not just the aircraft but also the crew, maintenance, and insurance (commonly referred to as ACMI). is comprehensive package distinguishes it from other types of aircraft leases, such as dry or damp leases, making wet leasing an attractive option for airlines facing a variety of logistical challenges.