DGCA set to simplify strict wet lease rules for Indian airlines to take aircraft
DGCA: In the wet lease of aircraft, companies lease foreign aircraft. This includes crew, its maintenance, and insurance. The aircraft is also under the operational control of the leasing foreign operator and is subject to the regulatory requirements of the relevant foreign civil aviation authority. Whereas in the case of dry-leasing, the company only takes the aircraft.
The aviation regulatory body Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prepared to allow airline companies to take aircraft on wet lease with ever-increasing travel demand. According to DGCA officials, airlines want to operate more flights. However, due to problems in the supply chain, aircraft are not available. Therefore, companies have opted to take aircraft on dry and wet leases in the future. Therefore, DGCA is working on simplifying the rules of the wet leases because of the development of the aviation sector.
A senior official said that on the one hand,d the engine problems of aircraft are increasing and on the other hand the air routes are also constantly developing. Many of IndiGo's aircraft are already grounded due to technical problems in P&W engines. The number of such aircraft is gradually decreasing. Some restrictions will be removed to facilitate the leasing of aircraft by domestic airlines. Also, the company will have to give the record of all the flights and maintenance of the concerned aircraft to the DGCA.
In the wet lease of the aircraft, companies lease foreign aircraft. This includes the crew, its maintenance, and insurance. The aircraft is also under the operational control of the leasing foreign operator and is subject to the regulatory requirements of the concerned foreign civil aviation authority. Whereas in the case of dry-leasing, the company only takes the aircraft. At present, IndiGo and SpiceJet operate wet-lease aircraft and Air India operates dry-lease aircraft. In such a situation, now the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started the work of fixing the wet-leasing rules. Currently, DGCA does not have full control over wet-lease aircraft. While there are some restrictions in wet-leasing of aircraft for new or additional routes.
In the wet lease of the aircraft, companies lease foreign aircraft. This includes the crew, its maintenance, and insurance. The aircraft is also under the operational control of the leasing foreign operator and is subject to the regulatory requirements of the concerned foreign civil aviation authority. Whereas in the case of dry-leasing, the company only takes the aircraft. Currently, IndiGo and SpiceJet run wet-lease aircraft, while Air India operates dry-lease aircraft. It is in such a context that the DGCA started working to fix the wet-leasing rules. Also, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) does not fully control a wet-lease aircraft right now. There are some restrictions in wet-leasing of aircraft to fly on new or additional routes.
Indian airlines are also getting ready to take aircraft on a wet lease. In this arrangement, only pilots will come from abroad whereas the remaining crew will comprise the staff of the concerned airlines. Apart from this, the pilots of aircraft acquired on wet lease have to follow the rules of the concerned foreign regulator, which also include FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitation). An official said, that as of now there are aircraft available on the ground, and if it is going to be beneficial for Indian aviation companies, then rightly the process should be assessed and convenience should be given to them in providing aircraft on lease.
