Aircraft leasing is a financial arrangement where an airline or company rents an aircraft from a lessor, rather than purchasing it outright. This allows airlines to operate planes without the significant upfront costs associated with buying them. Leasing can be short-term or long-term, depending on the airline's needs and market conditions. There are two main types of aircraft leases: operating leases and finance leases. An operating lease typically lasts for a shorter duration and allows the airline to return the aircraft at the end of the lease term. In contrast, a finance lease is more like a loan, where the airline may eventually own the aircraft after making all payments.