Our
Locations
World HQ
6700 Côte de Liesse, suite 206,
+1 514 636-1099
Montréal, Canada,
H4T 2B5Ireland
Suite 3230, Building 3000, Westpark Business Campus, Shannon, Clare, V14 AN29
+353 61 475 802San Marino
World Trade Center, Via Consiglio dei Sessanta,
+39 0549 942-551
99, 47891 Dogana, San Marino
Wet Lease Aircraft (ACMI)
ACASS is a direct AOC operator delivering wet lease aircraft solutions under its own authority across Canada, Ireland, and San Marino. Own Your Journey®.
Connect With a Specialist
What Is ACMI?
ACMI—or wet lease aircraft—stands for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance: the four elements a lessor provides in full under a wet lease arrangement. The lessee retains operational flexibility without the obligations of ownership, paying by the block hour for flights operated. Unlike a dry lease, the lessor retains operational control throughout the arrangement.
Wet Lease Versus Dry Lease
Under a wet lease, the lessor provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, retaining operational control throughout. Under a dry lease, operational control transfers fully to the lessee, who independently manages crew, airworthiness, and insurance. Wet leases suit short to medium-term requirements; dry leases typically require a minimum two-year commitment. ACASS advises on both structures.
ACASS as Wet Lease Operator
Unlike operators who rely on third-party carriers for execution, ACASS holds active Air Operator Certificates in Canada (2004), Ireland (2020), and San Marino (2015)—three distinct regulatory authorizations under one organization. This multi-AOC structure means a single accountable operator manages aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance across three jurisdictions for every engagement.
ACMI Components in Detail
Aircraft and Crew Provision
Under an ACMI wet lease, the lessor provides a fully crewed aircraft, with flight crew sourced, qualified, and managed by the operating carrier throughout the lease term. The lessee pays by the block hour. ACASS’s crew staffing capability—its founding service since 1994—is supported by the Voyageur database of more than 15,000 aviation professionals worldwide, ensuring qualified flight crew for every engagement.
Maintenance and Airworthiness Oversight
Maintenance and continuing airworthiness are the lessor’s responsibility under an ACMI arrangement. ACASS manages aircraft maintenance and regulatory compliance under its Canadian Air Operator Certificate. IS-BAO Stage 3 certification, awarded in 2017, governs the safety management framework applied to every aircraft under ACASS’s operational authority, providing independently verified airworthiness oversight throughout each engagement.
Insurance Coverage and Liability
Insurance is the fourth element of the ACMI structure. The lessor maintains hull and liability coverage for the aircraft throughout the lease term. ACASS maintains $300 million in insurance coverage across its managed and operated fleet, providing lessees with verified, operator-level insurance assurance backed by active Air Operator Certificates across three jurisdictions.
Registry and AOC Jurisdiction
The AOC jurisdiction governing a wet lease aircraft determines where and how the aircraft can operate during the lease term. ACASS holds active Air Operator Certificates under Transport Canada, the Irish Aviation Authority, and San Marino’s civil aviation authority. This multi-jurisdiction structure enables wet lease arrangements across different regulatory environments without requiring the lessee to hold their own certificate.
ACMI Contract and Duration
ACMI wet lease arrangements are structured for short to medium-term requirements, typically from one month up to eighteen months depending on operational need. The lessee pays by the block hour and is responsible for direct operating costs including fuel, ground handling, airport fees, and catering. Contract terms, redelivery conditions, and operational scope are agreed before commencement.
Safety & Certification
Every ACASS wet lease arrangement operates within an independently certified safety framework. IS-BAO Stage 3, awarded in 2017, represents the highest level of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations. ARGUS Gold certification has been maintained since 2013. IADA Accredited Dealer status has been held since 2019. All credentials are independently awarded and regularly renewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A wet lease aircraft arrangement, also known as an ACMI lease, is one in which the lessor provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance to the lessee. The lessor retains operational control throughout. The lessee pays by the block hour and is responsible for direct operating costs such as fuel, ground handling, and catering. Wet leasing is commonly used for short-term capacity requirements, AOG recovery, seasonal demand, and new route development. Connect with a Specialist to discuss your specific requirements.
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The primary consideration when evaluating an ACMI wet lease is that the lessor retains operational control throughout, with crew, maintenance, and insurance bundled into the lessor’s responsibility. The lessee has limited direct influence over crew selection, as the operating carrier manages all flight crew. For operations requiring long-term fleet additions, a dry lease or aircraft purchase may offer alternative structures depending on operational and capital considerations. Connect with a Specialist to explore the right structure.
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In a wet lease, the lessor provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, retaining operational control throughout the lease term. In a dry lease, only the aircraft is provided; the lessee assumes full operational control, independently sourcing crew, managing airworthiness, and maintaining insurance coverage. Wet leases are structured for short to medium-term requirements. Dry leases typically require a minimum two-year commitment. ACASS advises on both structures and holds the AOC authority to support either arrangement directly.
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Under an ACMI wet lease, fuel is the lessee’s responsibility. It is a direct operating cost that falls outside the four elements the lessor provides. The lessee is also responsible for other direct operating costs including ground handling charges, airport and navigation fees, catering, and crew per diem where applicable. The lessor’s responsibility is limited to the aircraft, crew employment and management, maintenance oversight, and insurance coverage throughout the lease term.
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ACASS holds active Air Operator Certificates in Canada (2004), Ireland (2020), and San Marino (2015), enabling direct wet lease execution across three regulatory jurisdictions without sub-contracting to a third carrier. A single accountable operator manages aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance for each engagement. With more than 30 years of business aviation experience across 56 countries, IS-BAO Stage 3 certification since 2017, ARGUS Gold certification since 2013, and IADA Accredited Dealer status since 2019, ACASS provides independently verified operational assurance for every wet lease arrangement.
ACASS — Own Your Journey®
