COMMERCIAL · GLOSSARY
Dry Lease
A lease that transfers only the aircraft, leaving crew, maintenance and insurance to the lessee.
IN PRACTICE
Dry leases are common in airline fleet management but are tightly scrutinised in business aviation. The FAA in particular pursues 'sham dry leases' where the same party effectively provides both aircraft and crew — a structure that bypasses Part 135 charter rules.
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Frequently asked
What does Dry Lease mean in private aviation?
A lease that transfers only the aircraft, leaving crew, maintenance and insurance to the lessee.
How does dry lease work in practice?
Dry leases are common in airline fleet management but are tightly scrutinised in business aviation. The FAA in particular pursues 'sham dry leases' where the same party effectively provides both aircraft and crew — a structure that bypasses Part 135 charter rules.
When is dry lease the right option for a charter client?
Dry lease fits flyers who match the usage pattern described above. For one-off trips, on-demand charter is usually more flexible; for recurring travel, structured products like jet cards or fractional programmes can be more predictable.
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