Wet Leasing

Wet leasing and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) agreements, while designed to provide flexibility in meeting operational demands, can pose significant threats to safety and quality employment. These arrangements often involve the outsourcing of aircraft and crews, potentially reducing oversight and consistency in training, safety protocols, and working conditions. The risk is that pilots working under wet lease agreements may face job insecurity, irregular schedules, and lack of full benefits, leading to fatigue and lower safety standards.

Moreover, the increasing reliance on wet leasing can drive a race to the bottom, where airlines seek the cheapest labor and operational costs, often at the expense of fair wages and working conditions. This form of unfair competition undermines established labor standards and puts pressure on directly employed pilots, eroding industry-wide protections.Though wet leasing offers flexibility, it often contributes to precarious working conditions for pilots, which is detrimental to both their well-being and the safety of air travel. The Belgian Cockpit Association (BeCA) has raised concerns about this practice and advocates for subcontractors involved in wet leasing and ACMI to be bound by Collective Labour Agreements (CLAs). This would ensure that pilots receive the same protections, benefits, and employment standards as those employed directly by airlines, safeguarding both their rights and the safety of aviation operations.