AirZim seeks to lease two more Embraer jets

via AirZim seeks to lease two more Embraer jets | The Source  April 4, 2014

State-owned carrier Air Zimbabwe is planning to lease two more Embraer jets to service its local and regional destinations, according to a government notice published on Friday.

The airline last year entered into a lease agreement with Solenta Aviation for the mid-range Brazilian built aircraft which serviced the Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route at better value than offered by its older fleet of Boeing 737-200s which are more expensive to operate and maintain.

Reports suggest that the agreement lapsed last month and the airline is once again looking to augment its fleet.

“Tenders are invited from companies of international standing in the aviation industry with at least AA credit rating for the provision of lease-in services of two 50-seater Embraer ERJ145LR Aircraft on wet or dry lease basis for a period of six months to one year subject to the conditions,” Air Zimbabwe said in the tender published in the gazette.

A wet lease is where an airline gets a plane and crew, while a dry one refers to an arrangement where no crew is supplied with the aircraft.

The tender will close on April 22.

In addition to the three Boeing 737aircraft, Air Zimbabwe’s fleet comprises of two 767-200 long haul jets and three Chinese-made MA60s.

In addition to the local routes, the airline also flies to Johannesburg, South Africa.