Jet Airways gets 'in-principle' nod to wet lease Etihad freighter

NEW DELHI: The government today accorded in-principle approval to private carrier Jet Airways to wet lease one freighter from its equity partner Etihad Airways, paving the way for the Mumbai-based carrier to launch cargo services.

Jet Airways had sought permission from the Civil Aviation Ministry to wet lease an Airbus A 330-200 freighter from Etihad for two years, official sources said, adding that the initial nod is for six month.

Under a wet lease arrangement, a lessor leases an aircraft with crew insurance and maintenance services to the lessee.

Jet had planned to launch cargo services earlier as well but it got shelved due to adverse business climate at that time.