Aviation wet leases aircraft, increases exploitation during peak summer season 2025

Bamboo Airways has just signed a wet lease contract for Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Vietravel Airlines are also rushing to expand their fleets amid a tight aircraft leasing market and rising rental prices.

Bamboo Airways confirmed that it has just completed receiving the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, putting it into operation in May 2025 to serve the summer peak - Photo: HM

Wet leasing of aircraft, increasing operating frequency

On May 28, a representative of Bamboo Airways confirmed that it had just completed receiving the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. The airline will operate the new aircraft at the end of May, operating on busy domestic routes and some international routes in Southeast Asia.

This is a wet lease (ACMI), including crew, maintenance and insurance provided by BBN Airlines Indonesia, a member company of Avia Solutions Group.

After returning to Vietnam, the aircraft will be technically inspected and repainted with Bamboo brand identity before officially put into operation.

To proactively increase fleet during peak season, Vietnamese airlines are flexibly combining two forms of aircraft leasing: wet leasing (ACMI) and dry leasing.

Wet leasing is a form of leasing an aircraft with flight crew, maintenance and insurance from a foreign partner, allowing it to be put into operation immediately without the need for flight crew training.

This form is used by Bamboo Airways and Vietjet during the summer or Tet holiday to quickly increase capacity.

Meanwhile, dry lease is a form of leasing only the aircraft body, operated and maintained by the airline itself. This is a long-term solution, popular with Vietnam Airlines , Vietjet and Bamboo Airways for basic fleets.

Aircraft leasing market is "hot", prices increase by 20-30%

In the context of the global aircraft leasing market heating up day by day, wet leasing is considered a flexible solution.

Aviation experts say wet lease costs have risen 20-30% year-on-year due to increased demand from airlines in Europe, the Middle East and India. Many of the available aircraft are fully booked, while long maintenance schedules and a shortage of parts have made supply increasingly scarce. Even with the high prices, airlines are still waiting for their aircraft to be delivered.

Domestically, in addition to Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines said it will receive new aircraft and increase the frequency of international flights from June.

Vietjet added many aircraft and is leading the number of aircraft operating in Vietnam with nearly a hundred.

Vietravel Airlines is also negotiating to lease two additional aircraft to expand its international flight network, expected in July 2025. However, airlines are facing great pressure from high rental costs, strict contract conditions and long delivery times.

Providing 14 million air tickets for the summer

According to statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, during the peak summer period from May 15 to August 15, 2025, domestic airlines are expected to operate nearly 69,000 flights, providing nearly 14 million seats, an increase of more than 21% over the same period last year.

To meet the increasing number of passengers, airlines not only expand their fleets but also launch many promotional programs. Vietnam Airlines opens for sale 9 million tickets from only 1.09 million VND/way. Vietjet launches 1 million tickets at 0 VND. Bamboo reduces 8-10% during golden hours.

By proactively increasing the fleet, combining promotional programs and optimizing flight frequency, the Vietnamese aviation market is bustling during the summer tourist season.

TRUST

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hang-khong-thue-uot-may-bay-tang-cuong-khai-thac-cao-diem-he-2025-20250528114953108.htm