Airlines do not always have the right aircraft, in the right place, at the right time. Demand spikes, aircraft go into heavy maintenance, new routes need to be tested and start up carriers want to fly before their own fleet and approvals are fully in place. ACMI leasing gives operators a way to add capacity without buying aircraft or building full flight operations from scratch.
In this guest post, we explain what ACMI leasing is, how it works in practice, when it makes sense and how a specialist provider such as Blue Cube Aviation , led by private aviation veteran Joseph Amissah, helps airlines source and manage ACMI capacity.
ACMI leasing is a form of wet leasing where an aircraft operator supplies a fully crewed and maintained aircraft to another airline. The ACMI provider operates flights under its own air operator certificate, while the lessee sells tickets, sets prices and manages the commercial relationship with passengers or charter clients.
Instead of a simple aircraft-only lease, ACMI delivers capacity as a package. This is especially useful when an airline has limited time, limited internal resources or does not want to build long term fixed costs around a short term requirement.
A serious ACMI arrangement follows a clear sequence. The lessee defines its capacity gap, the ACMI specialist sources appropriate aircraft and both sides agree on commercial and operational terms before launch. Once flying starts, the focus moves to on time performance, safety and day to day communication between operations teams.
| Stage | What Happens | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity Planning | The airline identifies routes, seasons or projects where its own fleet is not sufficient, or where it prefers not to commit long term capacity. | Required aircraft type, block hours per month, start and end dates, base airports. |
| Sourcing ACMI Capacity | An ACMI specialist approaches operators with suitable aircraft, checks availability and confirms that regulatory approvals are realistic for the intended markets. | Matching aircraft type, cabin configuration and performance to the planned network. |
| Commercial Negotiation | Both sides agree on hourly rates, minimum guaranteed hours, positioning flights, crew logistics and performance terms. | Clear economics, realistic utilization assumptions and balanced risk allocation. |
| Operational Setup | Approvals, manuals, handling arrangements and IT links are set, so the ACMI aircraft can run inside the lessee’s schedule and airport procedures. | Safety oversight, regulatory approvals, ground handling instructions and disruption plans. |
| Live Operation | The ACMI aircraft flies agreed routes. Performance, safety reports and customer feedback are monitored by both parties. | On time performance, technical reliability, crew quality and communication. |
| Renewal Or Exit | At the end of the term, the airline either extends, adjusts the arrangement or returns to its own fleet plan. | Lessons learned, long term fleet strategy and future capacity requirements. |
ACMI leasing carries a premium over operating your own aircraft, so it is reserved for situations where the strategic upside or risk protection justifies that extra cost. The patterns below are where airlines most often turn to ACMI support.
The wording in an ACMI agreement has real money behind it. Airlines need to understand how each clause shifts risk and cost between the parties, rather than focusing only on the headline hourly rate.
| Term | What It Covers | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Block Hours | The number of flight hours the lessee commits to pay each month, whether they are flown or not. | Sets the revenue floor for the ACMI provider and the cost base for the airline, shaping the real price per hour. |
| Hourly ACMI Rate | Charge per block hour for aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. | Determines the operating cost and needs to be tested against expected yield on the planned routes. |
| Positioning And Standby | Rules for ferry flights into and out of base, and standby arrangements between rotations. | Affects total economic cost, especially on short contracts or remote bases. |
| Performance Metrics | Targets and remedies for technical reliability and on time performance. | Gives both sides clear expectations and a framework for dealing with disruption. |
| Term, Renewal And Exit | Start and end dates, extension options and termination rights. | Impacts fleet planning, crew rostering and the risk of stranded capacity if market conditions shift. |
| Operational Restrictions | Limits on route types, sector lengths, payload or airports that the aircraft can be used on. | Reduces the risk of the aircraft being deployed in ways that strain safety margins or regulatory approvals. |
Regulators and passengers care less about contract structures and more about safety and service quality. Airlines that treat ACMI as a simple plug in can seriously damage their brand if they ignore the operational, regulatory and customer experience angles.
Sourcing the right aircraft is only part of ACMI. Airlines also need counterparties that understand the pressure of flying full schedules, defending market share and protecting safety and brand standards. This is where a focused ACMI and charter partner adds real value.
Blue Cube Aviation is led by Joseph Amissah, a private aviation veteran with long experience in charter and aircraft leasing. The firm is focused on arranging ACMI and related capacity solutions for airlines, tour operators and aviation clients that need lift without building permanent fleets.
Before signing, management should push for clear answers on a few core questions. Straight answers here tell you more about a partner than any brochure.
The most effective ACMI projects start with a clear brief. Airlines that define their network needs, risk appetite and commercial targets up front tend to secure better terms and avoid surprises once flying starts.
A simple starting process looks like this:
If you need extra lift for seasonal peaks, maintenance cover, new routes or project flying and want a structured ACMI solution rather than a last minute patch, it pays to work with a team that does this every day.
Blue Cube Aviation, led by Joseph Amissah, helps airlines and aviation clients source and structure ACMI capacity that fits real operational and commercial constraints.
Visit Blue Cube AviationDisclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, technical or investment advice. Airlines and operators should seek their own professional advice and conduct full due diligence before entering into any ACMI, wet lease or aircraft leasing arrangement. References to Blue Cube Aviation and any other third parties are descriptive only and do not represent a guarantee of performance or a recommendation for any specific transaction.
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