> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.acmiworld.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Top 10 ACMI and Wet Lease Providers in Germany in 2026 - URL: https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-acmi-and-wet-lease-providers-in-germany-in-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-08T08:14:23.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T08:14:42.000Z - Author: ACMI World ## The operators supplying Eurowings, Condor and Lufthansa with wet-leased aircraft, crews and capacity Germany is one of the largest wet-lease markets in Europe. Every summer, Eurowings, Condor and the wider Lufthansa Group bring in outside aircraft, complete with crews, maintenance and insurance, to cover peak leisure demand, delayed deliveries and engine-related groundings. In summer 2026, Eurowings alone contracted up to 19 wet-leased aircraft from three providers, and Condor outsourced dozens of holiday routes from Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf to partner airlines. Very few of these providers are German-certificated. Most ACMI capacity flying in Germany comes from operators based in Lithuania, Malta, Czechia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia and Switzerland, which supply aircraft under their own air operator certificates while flying in the customer's brand and schedule. This ranking focuses on **passenger ACMI and wet-lease operators active in the German market in 2026**. Providers were assessed on confirmed German deployments, the scale of those programs, ACMI specialization, fleet relevance to German airline requirements and the depth of their relationships with German customers. **Main buyers** Eurowings, Condor and Lufthansa Group airlines **Core aircraft** A320 family, Boeing 737, Embraer E190 and A220-300 **Key constraint** Summer capacity is typically contracted months before the season starts ### The leading ACMI and wet lease providers in Germany 1 ### [German Airways](https://germanairways.com/en/?ref=acmiworld.com) Embraer E190 | German AOC · Zeitfracht Group German Airways is the most relevant German-certificated specialist in passenger ACMI. Owned by the Zeitfracht Group, it traces its roots to Westdeutsche Luftwerbung (WDL) and has built its business around charter and wet-lease flying for other airlines rather than a scheduled network of its own. The airline operates a single-type Embraer E190 fleet in a 100-seat, single-class configuration. A ninth E190 was scheduled to join the fleet in June 2026, based in Germany. Most of the fleet flies on ACMI terms for KLM Cityhopper. In summer 2026, German Airways also began its first cooperation with Condor, operating two E190s on city routes from Frankfurt. Condor cited the operator's wet-lease experience and operational reliability when announcing the deal. For German buyers, a domestic AOC simplifies regulatory oversight, crew rostering and labor arrangements. The 100-seat E190 also fits thinner city routes where an A320 would be too large. **Best suited to:** airlines needing 100-seat regional jet capacity, thinner European city routes and an operator certificated by Germany's Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. 2 ### [Avion Express](https://avionexpress.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A320 family | Malta and Lithuania · Eurowings partner Avion Express is the largest single wet-lease supplier to Eurowings. For summer 2026, its Maltese operation provided eight Airbus A320s flying from Düsseldorf and Stuttgart. The relationship dates back to 2022, when Avion Express became a long-term Eurowings ACMI partner with 11 A320s. It was extended by a further three years in spring 2025, which makes it one of the most stable ACMI contracts in the German market. Avion Express is part of the Avia Solutions Group and operates one of Europe's largest A320-family ACMI fleets. That scale matters to German airlines that need several aircraft at once rather than a single tail. **Best suited to:** multi-aircraft A320 programs, long-term ACMI partnerships and airlines that need reliable summer peak capacity across several German bases. 3 ### [Smartwings](https://www.smartwings.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) Boeing 737 | Czechia · Eurowings partner Smartwings is a returning Eurowings ACMI partner, supplying five Boeing 737s based at Cologne/Bonn for summer 2026\. It is one of the few large Boeing 737 wet-lease sources serving German airlines. The Czech group changed hands in 2026\. Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines completed its acquisition of Czech Airlines and the Smartwings Group in early October 2026, after all regulatory approvals were received. Its work for Eurowings continued through the transaction. Buyers should watch how Pegasus integrates the business and whether it changes Smartwings' approach to third-party ACMI flying in future seasons. **Best suited to:** Boeing 737 wet-lease requirements, Cologne/Bonn and western German leisure flying, and airlines that prefer Boeing over Airbus equipment. 4 ### [GetJet Airlines](https://getjet.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A320 / A321 · Boeing 737-800 | Lithuania · Eurowings partner GetJet Airlines is the newest major entrant to the German market. In February 2026, the Lithuanian operator signed a long-term ACMI agreement with Eurowings, supplying six Airbus A320s based in Hamburg from March 2026\. The GetJet Group operates a mixed fleet of Airbus A320-family and Boeing 737-800 aircraft under Lithuanian and Maltese AOCs, and planned to add five more aircraft in the first half of 2026\. It reports more than 70 clients in over 50 countries, including Etihad, Wizz Air and TAP Air Portugal. The group is investing in its own maintenance capacity, with hangars in Šiauliai and Vilnius. In-house MRO can support aircraft availability during demanding summer programs. **Best suited to:** A320 or 737 capacity for northern German bases, airlines seeking a long-term partner with a growing fleet, and mixed-type requirements. 5 ### [Heston Airlines](https://heston.aero/?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A320 family | Lithuania · Condor partner Heston Airlines is a Lithuanian ACMI and charter specialist that flies for Condor every summer. In 2026, it operated Condor's leisure routes from Hamburg to the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Jerez and Hurghada, plus a Münster–Palma service. Founded in 2021, Heston marked its fifth anniversary in mid-2026 with 16 A320-family aircraft, more than 650 staff and around six million passengers carried. It aims to grow to as many as 30 aircraft over the long term. Heston's network spans Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, so its aircraft are not tied to a single customer program. That gives German buyers a flexible A320 source for both summer peaks and shorter-term cover. **Best suited to:** A320 leisure capacity from northern Germany, summer programs and short- to medium-term replacement flying. 6 ### [airBaltic](https://www.airbaltic.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A220-300 | Latvia · Lufthansa Group partner By scale, airBaltic is the largest ACMI supplier to the Lufthansa Group. Its three-year agreement, which started in summer 2025, allows for up to 21 Airbus A220-300s in summer and five in winter across Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines. In summer 2024 it flew 16 routes from Munich for Lufthansa. ACMI is a substantial part of the Latvian carrier's business. Wet leasing generated about €157 million in 2025, roughly 20% of revenue, with an average of 14 aircraft deployed and a peak of 20\. However, airBaltic filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York on 14 September 2026 and secured €350 million in debtor-in-possession financing. Flights are continuing, and the financing terms require airBaltic to assume its Lufthansa wet-lease agreements. Lufthansa holds about 10% of voting rights after a 2025 investment. The A220 is attractive capacity, but the restructuring plan calls for a smaller fleet. Buyers should confirm the aircraft available for future seasons and the restructuring timetable before committing to new capacity. **Best suited to:** Lufthansa Group hub feeder flying, 140–150-seat A220 capacity and airlines comfortable with the counterparty profile of a carrier in restructuring. 7 ### [Marabu Airlines](https://flymarabu.com/en/about-us?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A320neo | Estonia · Condor sister airline Marabu is an Estonian-registered airline with German ownership. Its parent is a German holding company backed by Attestor, which also holds a majority stake in Condor. Condor sells Marabu's tickets and describes it as a sister airline. In summer 2026, Marabu A320s flew 13 Condor leisure routes from Düsseldorf, including Palma, Heraklion, Rhodes, Tenerife South and Fuerteventura. Marabu also operates bases at Hamburg, Leipzig/Halle and Nuremberg. Marabu flies a young A320neo fleet, so its capacity is newer and more fuel-efficient than most wet-lease equipment. Because it is closely tied to Condor, buyers outside that group should expect limited availability. **Best suited to:** Condor-related leisure programs and requirements that call for newer-generation A320neo equipment. 8 ### [European Air Charter](https://euaircharter.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A320 | Bulgaria · Condor partner European Air Charter is a Sofia-based ACMI and charter airline with more than 26 years in the industry. In summer 2026, it supplied three A320s to Condor at Munich for a second consecutive year. The program started on 1 May and covers 14 holiday routes, including Palma, Heraklion, Ibiza, Tenerife South and Hurghada. The airline provides full ACMI, meaning the aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance, and repainted the aircraft with Condor branding in its own hangar before the season. Its fleet reached about ten aircraft in June 2026\. European Air Charter is IOSA-certified and runs EASA-approved maintenance in-house, which gives it a solid technical base for a mid-sized operator. **Best suited to:** southern German leisure flying, repeat seasonal A320 programs and airlines that need a small number of aircraft with full branding. 9 ### [Helvetic Airways](https://www.helvetic.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) Embraer E190 | Switzerland · Condor partner Helvetic Airways is an experienced Swiss wet-lease operator. In 2026 it began flying Embraer E190s for Condor from Frankfurt, starting with Zurich on 30 April, followed by London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa and, from mid-June, Tbilisi. Together with German Airways, Helvetic gives Condor regional jet capacity for city routes that would not fill an A320\. That combination reflects a wider trend in the German market: airlines are wet-leasing aircraft sized for the route rather than taking whatever narrowbody is available. Switzerland is not an EU member, but it participates in the EU aviation market through the EU–Swiss air transport agreement. Buyers should still confirm the approval route with the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt early. **Best suited to:** E190 capacity for Frankfurt-based city routes and airlines needing a well-established regional jet wet-lease operator. 10 ### [Fly Air41 Airways](https://flyair41.com/?ref=acmiworld.com) Airbus A319 · A320 | Croatia · Schauinsland-Reisen group Fly Air41 Airways holds a Croatian AOC but is majority-owned by German tour operator Schauinsland-Reisen and is a sister company of Sundair. Its small fleet of A319s and A320s works almost entirely on ACMI and charter terms. Condor has been its main German customer. Two Fly Air41 A320s have flown from Düsseldorf under Condor flight numbers since 2023, and two A319s were added from Frankfurt in summer 2025\. The airline also supports Sundair's flying from several German airports. Fly Air41 is a niche option, but useful for buyers who need a single A319 or A320\. The 144–150-seat A319 is rarely offered by larger ACMI operators. **Best suited to:** single-aircraft A319 or A320 requirements, tour-operator programs and smaller seasonal leisure operations from German airports. ### ACMI providers in Germany compared | Provider | AOC | Key aircraft | German customers and bases (2026) | | -------------------- | ----------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | German Airways | Germany | E190 | Condor (Frankfurt); KLM Cityhopper ACMI | | Avion Express | Malta / Lithuania | A320 | Eurowings (Düsseldorf, Stuttgart) | | Smartwings | Czechia | 737 | Eurowings (Cologne/Bonn) | | GetJet Airlines | Lithuania / Malta | A320 / 737-800 | Eurowings (Hamburg) | | Heston Airlines | Lithuania | A320 family | Condor (Hamburg, Münster) | | airBaltic | Latvia | A220-300 | Lufthansa Group hubs including Munich | | Marabu Airlines | Estonia | A320neo | Condor (Düsseldorf) | | European Air Charter | Bulgaria | A320 | Condor (Munich) | | Helvetic Airways | Switzerland | E190 | Condor (Frankfurt) | | Fly Air41 Airways | Croatia | A319 / A320 | Condor (Düsseldorf, Frankfurt in 2025); Sundair | ### Which aircraft are wet-leased in Germany? The German ACMI market is almost entirely narrowbody and regional. The right type depends on route length, demand, airport constraints and how closely the wet-leased aircraft has to match the customer's own fleet. **Airbus A320 family**The backbone of German wet leasing. Eurowings and Condor both operate Airbus fleets, so A320 capacity slots into existing schedules, ground handling and passenger expectations with the least friction. **Boeing 737**A smaller but important source of capacity, mainly through Smartwings and GetJet. It suits leisure routes where an operator can offer a 737-800 at short notice. **Embraer E190**The 100-seat option for thinner city routes. German Airways and Helvetic both supplied E190s to Condor in 2026\. **Airbus A220-300**Used mainly for Lufthansa Group hub flying through airBaltic. It is efficient and popular with passengers, but supply depends heavily on a single provider. For type-specific guidance, see ACMIWorld's guides to the [A320 ACMI lease](https://www.acmiworld.com/a320-acmi-lease-for-airline-capacity/) and the [Embraer E190 ACMI lease](https://www.acmiworld.com/embraer-e190-acmi-lease/), and our rankings of the [top A321 ACMI providers](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-airbus-a321-acmi-providers-in-europe/) and [top Boeing 737 ACMI providers](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-boeing-737-acmi-providers-in-europe/) in Europe. ### What German airlines should check before contracting ACMI capacity The headline block-hour rate is only one part of the decision. A credible comparison should cover the full operating and regulatory picture. - **AOC and approval route:** wet-leasing from an EU operator is simpler than leasing from a non-EU carrier, which needs approval and can only be used for limited, justified periods under EU Regulation 1008/2008. - **Lead time:** peak-summer capacity is often fully committed by the end of winter. Late requests usually mean fewer options and higher rates. - **Base and crew logistics:** crew hotels, transport and rotations at German bases add materially to program cost, especially when the operator has no existing presence there. - **Minimum guaranteed hours:** confirm the monthly block-hour commitment and how unused hours are treated. - **Cabin and product fit:** seat count, pitch, catering and on-board service should match what the customer airline has sold to passengers. - **Branding:** agree whether the aircraft will carry full livery, decals or remain in the operator's colors. - **Substitution rights:** the contract should state what happens if the nominated aircraft becomes unserviceable. - **Counterparty strength:** check the operator's financial position, ownership changes and restructuring status before committing to multi-season capacity. ACMIWorld's guide to [EU and UK wet-lease approval rules](https://www.acmiworld.com/wet-lease-regulations-eu-uk-approval-rules-explained-2026/) covers the regulatory side in more detail, and our article on [ACMI contract clauses airlines should negotiate](https://www.acmiworld.com/acmi-contract-clauses-airlines-should-negotiate/) covers the commercial terms. ### How ACMI pricing works in Germany ACMI providers in Germany usually quote a block-hour rate against a minimum monthly utilization commitment. The rate covers the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. Fuel, airport and navigation charges, ground handling, catering and passenger-related costs normally stay with the customer airline. Rates are seasonal. Summer peak capacity is priced higher and booked earlier, while winter capacity is cheaper but harder to justify for operators that would otherwise park aircraft. Positioning costs, crew accommodation and the length of the contract can shift the total cost of a program significantly. See ACMIWorld's guide to [ACMI lease pricing](https://www.acmiworld.com/acmi-lease-pricing-explained-what-airlines-actually-pay-for-capacity/) for a fuller breakdown. ### Why wet-lease demand in Germany stays high German leisure demand peaks sharply in summer, and the major carriers do not want to own aircraft that would sit idle for half the year. Wet leasing lets Eurowings and Condor add capacity for the peak and hand it back in autumn. Fleet disruption adds to that demand. Delayed aircraft deliveries and engine-related groundings across the A320neo and A220 fleets have made outside capacity a structural part of German airline planning rather than an emergency fix. The result is a market dominated by Baltic, Maltese and Central European operators. Their cost bases, crew availability and flexible fleets suit seasonal deployment better than many domestically certificated airlines. For a wider view of the market, see ACMIWorld's [top ACMI airlines in Europe](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-acmi-airlines-in-europe/) and our guide to [summer season ACMI capacity](https://www.acmiworld.com/summer-season-acmi-capacity/). Freighter requirements are covered separately in our ranking of [cargo ACMI providers](https://www.acmiworld.com/top-10-cargo-acmi-providers-in-2026-freighter-wet-lease-operators/). ### Final view German Airways is the leading German-certificated ACMI specialist, but most wet-lease capacity in Germany comes from abroad. Avion Express, Smartwings and GetJet carry most of Eurowings' summer peak, while Heston, Marabu, European Air Charter, Helvetic and Fly Air41 support Condor. airBaltic remains the largest single source of capacity for the Lufthansa Group, but its Chapter 11 restructuring means buyers should check aircraft availability and contract terms more carefully than in previous seasons. For buyers, the key question is not which operator has the largest fleet. It is which operator has the **right aircraft available at the right German base on the required dates, with the approvals, crews and contract terms needed to protect the schedule**. ### Looking for wet-lease capacity in Germany? A320, 737, E190 and A220 requirements need to be matched against live aircraft availability, base location, contract length and expected utilization. For aircraft leasing enquiries, visit Blue Cube Aviation. [Request an Aircraft Leasing Quote](https://bluecubeaviation.net/?ref=acmiworld.com) **Editorial note:** This ACMIWorld ranking is based on publicly available operator and industry information reviewed in October 2026\. Fleet composition, aircraft availability and active wet-lease assignments can change quickly. Inclusion does not imply that aircraft are immediately available for a particular program. Airlines should confirm the nominated aircraft, AOC, technical status, commercial terms and regulatory approvals directly before contracting capacity. For partnerships, media, and collaboration opportunities, contact us directly at [info@acmiworld.com](mailto:info@acmiworld.com).