Swinging liveries

Every monsoon, Delhi-based low cost carrier SpiceJet leases out two of its planes to Dutch charter operator Transavia. The aircraft return to India when the lean season is over and are reinducted into its fleet. So every six months, the aircraft livery swings from the bright red and white colours that SpiceJet sports to Transavia���s more sober white, green and blue.

Now painting aircraft is typically a detailed process with huge downtimes for the aircraft that a low cost carrier can never afford twice a year. Yet an airline���s livery is an important part of its identity and SpiceJet would never fly planes in Transavia colours, or vice-versa.

The answer comes in the form of decals ��� which are plastic adhesives that are stuck on to the aircraft fuselage masking SpiceJet's livery when the aircraft are sent out. The sturdy mask is washed off when the aircraft comes back for its India stint. The process takes just about four hours and costs $50,000 for a Boeing 737. Decals are being used by airlines around the world for graphic tail art and design on the fuselage.

The Wadia group-promoted GoAir too goes through a similar exercise. The airline has been leasing two A320s into its fleet for the high season, from November to May. The aircraft go back to the owner, the Spanish charter operator Iberworld, when it is lean season in India. The aircraft livery is changed to GoAir's tangy colours from Iberworld's plain white, when it is flying in India.

Swing leasing of capacity is now becoming a regular practice for Indian carriers, where the business cycle fortunately complements that in Europe. Lean season in India (from April to October) roughly coincides with the busy summer for European carriers.