The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has authorized IndiGo’s request to wet-lease a wide-body Boeing aircraft from Turkish Airlines for a time of up to 6 months.
But the local carrier’s request to lease the aircraft for a time of up to 2 years was rejected by the Aviation regulator, according to PTI sources.
IndiGo
Since its fleet now solely consists of narrow-body aircraft, IndiGo chose to lease wide-body aircraft to expand its international flight schedule to satisfy the increasing demand. Pratt & Whitney and CFM engine supply issues are currently causing a large number of IndiGo & Go First Airbus A320 aircraft to be grounded.
The difference between wet-lease and dry-lease is who has operational control. Wet leases involve the lessor maintaining operational management of all flights while providing the aircraft and crew, whereas dry leases involve the lessee providing its crew and exercising control.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) turned down IndiGo’s request to wet-lease the aircraft for a prolonged length of time, noting the possibility of diversion of traffic rights in collaboration with a strong foreign carrier that would primarily feed the latter’s overseas hub with more Indian passengers.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation
The IndiGo biggest airline in India has been granted authorization to wet lease wide-body aircraft from Turkish Airlines for a term of three months, with an option for a second three-month period. The aviation watchdog turned down the domestic airline’s request to wet lease the aircraft for up to 2 years.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) lacks sufficient safety management over aircraft working under wet lease agreements. Wet-leasing an aircraft for IndiGo effectively implies that the Indian airline will just sell tickets for flights on planes that are being operated by the original carrier. The concerned foreign airline would provide the whole working staff and engineering staff.
There are now just 2 flights per day that can be conducted by airlines from either Turkey or India. The government is encouraging domestic airlines to have wide-body aircraft in their fleets and is also looking at mega aviation hubs in India.
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