If bmi has been making big losses as reported, the wet-lease is probably a mechanism for its shareholders to avoid putting in huge levels of cash to maintain its financial fitness. New routes at bmi's own risk would need the cash injection; but a guaranteed wet-lease contract with secure income would not. Either way, the money still appears but it's paid slowly over time under the wet-lease rather than in one big lump if bmi flew the new routes in its own right.