An ACMI lease is an aviation leasing agreement that allows you to get an aircraft with its crew, maintenance, and insurance for an agreed period. You decide where and when the aircraft flies, and the lessor keeps it safe and airworthy.
Monarch Air Group arranges ACMI leases of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for a variety of operations, including cargo and passenger transportation and special missions. We work worldwide, with an emphasis on Africa, South America, and the Middle East.
What Is an ACMI Lease?
ACMI stands for Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance. These are the four things the lessor provides. The client pays for the flying itself and the costs on the ground.
| The Lessor Provides | The Client Pays For |
|---|---|
| An airworthy, fully equipped aircraft at an agreed location | Fuel |
| Flight and maintenance crews, as the operating manuals and regulations require | Crew accommodation |
| Maintenance that keeps the aircraft in safe operating condition | Parking and ramp fees |
| The agreed minimum insurance | Overflight permits and royalties; extra insurance, such as war risk or higher third-party liability |
Under FAA rules, any lease of an entire aircraft with at least one crewmember is a wet lease (14 CFR 110.2). This type of aviation agreement implies that the lessor keeps operational control of the flights.
ACMI vs. Full Wet, Damp, and Dry Lease
Aircraft leases differ in what the lessor provides beyond the aircraft. ACMI sits between a full wet lease and a dry lease.
| Lease Type | The Lessor Provides | The Client Handles |
|---|---|---|
| Full wet lease | Aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance, plus fuel and most operating costs | Mainly the flight schedule |
| ACMI | Aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance | Fuel, fees, permits, and crew accommodation |
| Damp lease | Aircraft and flight crew, often without cabin crew | Cabin crew and most operating costs |
| Dry lease | Aircraft only | Crew, maintenance, insurance, and operational control |
Only the wet lease is defined in FAA rules. Terms like “full wet” and “damp” are industry terms, and each contract sets their exact scope.
Missions We Support
We arrange dedicated aircraft and airlift support for a wide range of missions, including:
- cargo and passenger transportation
- medevac, air ambulance, and emergency evacuation
- search and rescue
- firefighting
- mining, logging, and offshore oil rig support
- aerial mapping and surveillance
- humanitarian aid
Aircraft Available for ACMI Lease
- Helicopters: Mi-8T, Mi-8MTV, Mi-171, Ka-32, Mi-26
- Fixed-wing aircraft: An-12, An-26, An-32B, An-28
Who We Work With
Our industry experience and personalized boots-on-the-ground approach have rewarded us with a repeat clientele of demanding end users, including the United Nations, the US DOD, the Canadian DND, and major defense contractors. Through our subsidiaries, we have run helicopter ACMI projects in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ethiopia, aircraft operations in the Caribbean, and long-term STOL aircraft leases in Africa.
How Much Does an ACMI Lease Cost?
ACMI leases are usually priced per block hour, with a minimum number of hours each month. The rate depends on the aircraft type, the length of the lease, and your region. Fuel, fees, permits, crew accommodation, and extra insurance come on top, as shown in the table above. High-risk regions typically call for war risk insurance, which also adds to the total lease price.
Request an ACMI Lease with Monarch Air Group
Call +1 (954) 359 0059 at any hour, or send your mission details online. Our team will reply with available aircraft and lease terms.