What are the disadvantages of a dry lease?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

A dry lease in aviation—where an aircraft is leased without crew, maintenance, or insurance—presents several distinct financial and operational disadvantages for the lessee. The primary drawback is the heavy operational burden placed on the lessee, who must assume complete responsibility for hiring, vetting, and training qualified flight and cabin crews, managing scheduled maintenance, and acquiring expensive aviation insurance policies. Additionally, the lessee bears all regulatory compliance risks, faces prolonged downtime during mechanical overhauls, and must handle complex logistical coordination across international jurisdictions, making dry leases cost-effective only for major airlines with established operational infrastructures.

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