Disruptions to the global supply chain have been causing an alarming shortage of aircraft spare parts, with aircraft maintenance contractors and manufacturers feeling the pinch as their inventories quickly deplete. Labor shortages have also fueled the problem, causing airlines like British Airways to struggle as they try to outsource amidst a drying market.

The flag carrier has had trouble finding enough maintenance contractors for its short-haul fleet and has recently turned to 'wet lease' agreements with third-party airlines and maintenance contractors elsewhere to bolster and upkeep its short-haul fleet, beginning with its Airbus A319s.

Seeking maintenance at Abu Dhabi

That's right, if you start spotting some of British Airways' Airbus A319s flying in and out of Abu Dhabi, rest assured it's not some strange part of the airline's new flight schedules you missed. Rather, the Airbus narrowbodies are being flown direct from London to the Middle East for hangar work.

The first was an Airbus A319 registered G-DBCG, which operated as BA 9270 when it took off from London Gatwick Airport at approximately 15:15 on February 19th. The 17-year-old narrowbody flew for nearly seven hours before arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport around 02:09.

While it's not known which of the airline's 30 Airbus A319s are next up for some heavy maintenance work, these smaller narrowbodies won't be the only aircraft types being sent to Abu Dhabi. Certain Airbus A320s, and likely the older Airbus A321s, will also be flown over for maintenance, although the number of aircraft remains unknown.

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Under pressure to deliver an efficient operation

With this year's summer rush expected to be even more demanding than last year and close to pre-pandemic demand levels, British Airways is taking other measures to ensure the reliability of its short-haul fleet. Besides sending several narrowbodies to Abu Dhabi for maintenance, the oneworld alliance member has also entered a 'wet lease' agreement with partner Finnair.

Under this agreement, which British Airways has had before, the Helsinki-based carrier will be leasing out at least four Airbus A320s with sets of crew and maintenance services to British Airways for about one year, beginning March 24th. This 'wet lease' agreement will help to bolster British Airways' short-haul European network flight operations and go some way towards mitigating the supply chain and labor shortages.

Essentially, you'll be paying for a British Airways flight but flying with Finnair. Another 'wet leasing' agreement in the books is with charter airline Titan Airways, although the number and specific aircraft type are currently unknown. What is known, however, is that from late February till mid-March or sometime later, Titan Airways will be flying on a range of short-haul routes to and from London Heathrow Airport for the flag carrier.

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Bottom line

A short stay over in Abu Dhabi for some of the short-haul fleet and 'wet lease' agreements with two airlines to operate on behalf of British Airways, and it seems like the carrier has made a good effort to prepare itself for the upcoming busy months. Hopefully, the carrier's actions won't go to waste, and passengers won't suffer the disappointments of last year.

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  British Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  BA/BAW

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport

  Year Founded:

  1974

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  Airline Group:

  IAG

  CEO:

  Sean Doyle

  Country:

  United Kingdom