Applying for an aircraft lease requires meticulous attention to detail, especially regarding the documentation required by regulatory bodies. Whether leasing in or leasing out an aircraft, ensuring that all paperwork is in order is essential for a smooth approval process.
The following minimal information should be included in UK-registered dry lease applications:
- Type, model, and serial number of the aircraft
- The registered owner’s name and address
- The aircraft’s state of registration, nationality, and registration marks
- The routes that will be flown
- The lease’s duration (start and finish dates) and whether it’s intended to register the aircraft in the UK at some point
- A copy of the terms of the lease or a description of the lease
- The aircraft’s design standard, namely any infraction of the relevant airworthiness standards for certification
- The suggested plans for keeping the aircraft airworthy and maintaining its upkeep (The UK lessee’s supervising Survey Department Regional Office can provide guidance)
- Equipment that needs to be fitted or meets regulations should be identified, and requests for exemptions should be made. However, these exclusions are not guaranteed to be granted.
- If different from the registered owner, the lessee’s name and address
- The department’s name or the contact information in the foreign DCA/CAA that handles the lease. The foreign operator might know this information. However, typically, the foreign authority will contact the UK CAA first.
- The name of the person who will serve as the UK operator’s coordinator
The minimum information required for applications to dry lease out an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom is as follows:
- Type, model, and serial number of the aircraft
- Registration of the aeroplane
- The registered owner’s or lessee’s name and address
- The foreign operator’s name and address (Lessee)
- The duration of the lease, which includes any ferry flights conducted by the foreign operator
- Routes that the aircraft is intended to be used on
- A copy of the lease agreement or an explanation of the terms of the lease
- The UK lessor shall specify the maintenance and airworthiness management plans for the duration of the lease. For additional direction on what should be included in an interface agreement document, contact the Supervisory Survey Department Regional Office of the lessor. The CAA must approve any changes mandated by the foreign operator or regulatory body; and
- The number of foreign flight engineers or pilots who need to have their flight crew licence validated
The UK lessor should also nominate a leasing coordinator and a contact in the foreign regulatory body handling the lease arrangements.
Wet leasing for an operator in a third country
The UK Operator (Lessee) must first have prior consent in the manner listed below to wet lease-in from a third-country operator:
- The DfT’s lease permission in line with Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008’s Article 13(3) (the New Third Package Regulation).
- After proving conformity with ORO, AOC. 110(a), (b), and (c), the CAA granted a lease approval under ARO.OPS.110(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 (Air Operations Regulation).
- Article 250 of the UK Air Navigation Order 2016 stipulates that a permit is necessary. The CAA’s Permit Team can provide one; for information on how to apply for a permit and the related application fee, please refer to their guidelines.
Other factors to take into account while wet leasing in a third-country operator are:
- The lessor’s pilots must possess validations for third-country pilot licenses in accordance with Annex III of Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011, also known as the “Aircrew Regulation,” unless they are exempted under Article 71(1) of Regulation 2018/1139.
- The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted the Third Country Operator a Part-TCO Authorisation after Regulation (EU) No. 452/2012, often known as “the Third Country Operators,” has been fully enacted.
The following documentation should also accompany the application letter:
- A copy of the terms of the lease or a description of them.
- A copy of the findings from the lessee’s safety audit and assessment of the foreign operator.
- The aeronautical authority of the State of Operator must issue an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), an Operating Licence, a Certificate of Competency, or both. The AOC should specify the type(s) and registration(s) of aircraft the UK air carrier will use, as well as the AOC areas and types of operation.
- All aircraft intended for UK-based services must have a registration certificate issued by the State of Registry’s aviation authority.
- For any aircraft to be operated on services to the UK, the aviation authority of the State of Registry issues a Certificate of Airworthiness. To verify the certificate, a copy of the most recent annual maintenance inspection report must be attached.
- All aircraft operating on UK services must have a noise certificate granted by the State of Registry’s aeronautical authority, or a copy of a noise exemption received from the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Regulatory Policy Group. (All aircraft that provide scheduled, chartered, or cargo services must comply with Chapter 3.)
- A certificate of insurance covering the aircraft’s use and its liability for passenger and third-party risks. The insurance coverage must fulfil the minimal third-party and passenger liability insurance standards as outlined in EC Regulation No. 785/2004’s Articles 6 and 7.
- Verification of the existence of any potentially dangerous goods or weapons of mass destruction (MoW) that may be transported. Provide the UK CAA’s letter of exemption for MoWso.
Wet leasing an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom for the benefit of another operator (Community and Third Country)
According to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008, Article 13(2), leasing approval is not necessary. Nevertheless, the following conditions must be met to wet lease a ‘G’ registered aircraft to any operator (Community or Third Country):
- According to AMC1 ORO.AOC.110(f) and ORO.AOC.110(f) of the Air Operations Regulation, the UK Operator must notify the UK CAA before the aircraft is wet leased out. Notifications should be sent to the UK Operator’s designated Flight Operations Inspector as well as the CAA Leasing Coordinator.
- The UK Operator’s AOC must cover the areas of operation.
If you need assistance preparing your lease application, we specialise in ensuring that all necessary documentation is completed to meet CAA and international regulations. Book a free 30-minute consultation with us to discuss your specific needs.
