Services Quote
Call us now Get a quote

Global Aircraft Charter

Aircraft Leasing

Providing end to end capacity solutions worldwide.

Chapman Freeborn is exceptionally placed to provide capacity for all aircraft leasing needs to airlines worldwide through our dedicated inter-airline ACMI leasing division. Whether you require a last minute ACMI sub charter or are seeking additional aircraft to fulfil a busy summer flight schedule, our experienced team of experts offer a wide scope of options for airlines looking for ACMI Wet lease (long and short term), ACMI Damp lease, Dry lease and Hybrid lease.

Chapman Freeborn has a presence in 19 countries, spanning six continents and we have access to over 50,000 aircraft worldwide and are constantly monitoring the availability of aircraft and the latest regulations in each region. Our global market-leading strength and extensive network of airline relationships means that we can source a range of competitive aircraft solutions at the right price, by leveraging our local market knowledge and network of connections.

0
years of expertise
0m
air miles flown
0k
flights per year

Long Term

Short Term

Cargo ACMI Leasing

Dry Aircraft Lease

Hybrid Lease

Urgent Replacement

Get a Quote

What are the benefits of ACMI?

An ACMI lease generally lasts between up to 12 months and is typically utilised for the following reasons as opposed to investing heavily in new aircraft as the operator would only be paying for the aircraft when it flies compared to carrying the overhead during the low season also:

Maintenance delays / Late delivery of airplanes

Planning maintenance downtime is the easy part, ensuring that there are no delays during maintenance or unplanned maintenance occurrences is a huge challenge for operators and can cause considerable schedule disruption or cancellation to service when this occurs. Such delays can be weeks to several months in time.

When faced with order backlogs due to demand, this leads to aircraft delivery delays for the Aircraft Manufacturers.

Seasonal demand / Network expansion

Each market and region will have a peak season and airlines will always be looking to expand their network by testing new routes and adding frequency to their schedule. Both requirements can be in the range of 2-6 months period (or longer) and operators will look to lease aircraft in to cover this need for additional capacity as ACMI provides the flexibility required whilst also being a cost effective solution.

Longer term ACMI leasing solutions ensures that planned scheduled flying is unaffected during these periods of uncertainty.

Seasonality map

Flight crew shortage

Crews can be in short supply whether it’s due to demand, delays in cabin crew training or continued sickness. ACMI fills this void with the provision of the crew as well as aircraft.

AOG / Urgent replacement capacity

ACMI provides the lessee with replacement aircraft even at short notice. An aircraft and crew can be wet leased on a short term basis when airlines are faced with sudden unforeseen issues such as a technical fault with an aircraft or lack of available crew. ACMI minimizes service disruption whilst allowing the operator to isolate the issue in hand and maintain schedule integrity.

Section 4 image
ACMI aircraft in flight

Advantages of ACMI?

There are advantages to ACMI leasing for both the lessor and lessee when leasing additional capacity. For the lessee, it’s clear, they receive the flexibility that ACMI provides whilst being provided with supplemental seasonal capacity without having to invest heavily on dry leased or purchased aircraft and crew on a much longer term commitment.

The Lessor is not only able to take advantage of counter-seasonal demand from other regions, ensure fleet optimisation and generating revenue year round but they also lower risk to their airline. Under an ACMI agreement, the Lessor is not responsible for such incremental costs as fluctuating fuel and currency, ground handling charges and passenger delay compensation liability, such as EU Regulation 261/2004.

ACMI leasing is a flexible solution in terms of aircraft type, the period of operation and the selected route network whilst providing airlines with a level certainty in unprecedented times, by preserving service continuity and improving fleet efficiency.

Section 3 image

Request a quote

With 50 years of experience in the charter market, we will give you the information that you need to make an informed decision.

FAQs

Thank you for your interest in ACMI leasing. We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help address your queries. If you have any additional questions or would like further information, please feel free to reach out to us.

ACMI stands for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance.

An ACMI lease is also known as a wet or damp lease. A wet lease is a leasing arrangement whereby a supplying airline (the lessor) provides an Aircraft, full Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) to a customer airline (the lessee) which pays by the number of block hours operated. Compared to a damp lease, where the lessor would provide the cockpit crew only and the lessee providing their own cabin crew on the leased aircraft.

Damp leasing is useful when a lessee requires additional capacity but has a surplus cabin crew of their own. This not only reduces some costs to the lessee by removing the crew hotac and crew daily allowances but also maximizes operational efficiency and onboard service familiarity. The lessee provides the ground services such as fuel, handling, and catering.

ACMI leasing differs from other types of aircraft leases because it includes not only the aircraft itself but also the crew, maintenance services, and insurance coverage. This comprehensive package makes ACMI leasing suitable for airlines that need a complete operational solution without the need for significant investments in aircraft and associated services.

Yes, ACMI lease agreements are often flexible and can be customised to meet the specific needs of the lessee. Airlines can negotiate various aspects, such as the duration of the lease, the type and specifications of the aircraft, crew qualifications, maintenance provisions, and insurance coverage. Customisation allows airlines to tailor the ACMI lease to their operational requirements and optimise their cost structure.

ACMI leasing offers several advantages, including:

  • Reduced capital investment: ACMI leasing eliminates the need for airlines to invest significant capital in acquiring aircraft and associated services.
  • Operational flexibility: Airlines can quickly adjust capacity based on demand fluctuations without the long-term commitments associated with owning or leasing aircraft.
  • Expertise and support: The lessor provides experienced crew, maintenance services, and insurance coverage, allowing the lessee to focus on its core operations.
  • Cost efficiency: ACMI leasing can be cost-effective for short-term or seasonal needs, as the lessee pays only for the hours the aircraft is flown, rather than bearing the full ownership or lease costs.
wing tip at sunset

Why choose us

plane-icon-green

Enhanced airline data and aircraft tracking software

Our software enables the close monitoring of fleet changes, C-Checks and maintenance schedules.

plane-icon-green

Unparalleled options

ACMI, aircraft wet lease, aircraft damp lease or aircraft dry lease solutions. Increased buying power due to the number of contracts Chapman Freeborn operates annually on a global scale.

plane-icon-green

Global coverage

High quality standard of service covering North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. H24 Office operating 24/7/365 ready to support any emergency capacity requirements.

plane-icon-green

Quality assured

We work with IOSA registered carriers and ETOPS holders who are compliant with the highest airline quality standards.

plane-icon-green

Experienced team with extensive industry knowledge

We've supported clients for half a century and covered more than nine million air miles in the process. Excellent reputation, loyal customer and supplier base.

plane-icon-green

Fast, reliable sourcing and provision of aircraft

Greater strategic flexibility, and proactive approach. Supplemental seasonal capacity and fleet optimisation.

Latest news & blogs

READ MORE

News

Chapman Freeborn is shortlisted for Air Freight Company of the Year at the Multimodal 2024 Modal Awards

READ MORE

News

Ekaterina Andreeva joins the Air Charter Association NextGen Group

READ MORE

Blog

The Sky-High Appeal: How Luxury Private Jets Transform Business Travel

READ MORE

Blog

Charter a flight to Songkran Festival in Thailand

READ MORE

Blog

Exploring Specialized Air Cargo Services: Types & Benefits

READ MORE

Blog

Flying Private to Sports Events in 2024

READ MORE

Blog

Explore the benefits of air charter cargo services for businesses in the middle east

READ MORE

News

Press release: Chapman Freeborn expands its Jet Club Membership into Europe, following its successful launch in the United States

READ MORE

News

Chapman Freeborn wins Air Cargo Charter Broker of the Year at the Aviation Achievement Awards 2024