Icelandair has linked with leasing company AWAS to boost business for its wet-lease arm Loftleidir Icelandic. The two companies have signed a co-operative arrangement to offer Boeing 757/767 wet leases worldwide.
"If we have a customer requiring wet lease we have an agreement with AWAS to enable us to respond quickly," says Loftleidir director of marketing Gudni Hreinsson. "We'll take the aircraft on a dry lease from AWAS and then place it on a normal wet lease with the operator."
Hreinsson adds that the company is looking at "several opportunities at the moment and could have something in place for the winter season".
AWAS previously held an air operator's certificate (AOC) and offered wet leases in its own right, but left the market and sold the licence after the 2001 downturn. The AWAS/Loftleidir agreement is not exclusive, enabling either side to conclude wet-lease agreements with other parties.
Icelandair has one Boeing 757-200 currently on lease from AWAS and its leasing arm currently has wet-lease deals in place for two 757s with Volare and one 767 with tour operator TUI. Crews are sourced from the airline as required.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON
Source: Flight International
