Jet Airways has put in a fresh application for leasing four Boeing aircraft from US-based leasing company, Tombo Aviation.
The leasing company has given a certificate to the government that it has no connection with any foreign airline. The company's application is expected to be taken up at the next aircraft acquisition committee meeting.
The company is planning to bring in these aircraft in September-October. The company has also applied for permission to acquire 5 ATR aircraft for regional operations.
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Ministry sources said that the carrier is pre-empting capacity and expanding its operations in view of the proposed entry of Tata airline, which is expected to pose a threat to Jet's operations.
Indian Airlines has also decided to lease 4 A 320s in October this year, the tender for which has been floated in June and will be opened in September.
Jet will lease these Boeings till it gets more of the 10 aircraft it has directly purchased from the company, of which 4 B-400s have come in. This includes 4 B-400s and 6 B-800s and the entire lot is expected to come in by December 2000 or latest by February 2001. Another couple of aircraft are expected to come in this year.
The carrier has so far got government clearance for 25 aircraft and is at present operating 19.
Earlier, the ministry had refused permission to Jet to dry lease 4 aircraft from Malaysian airlines since its new guidelines do not allow dry leasing from foreign airlines for domestic operators.
Jet airways was earlier in June given formal permission to induct 5 Boeing 737-800s. (2 under replacement), taking its total fleet to 25 from 22. This is to be the first induction of Boeing 737-800s in the country.
Sahara was also given approval to add 7 new planes (3 737-200 and 4 737-400) to its fleet by the aircraft acquisition committee.
Jet will be replacing two Boeing 737-400 with 737-800s. These are 154 seaters against the 737-400s which are 136 seaters.
The government has this year also approved induction of 13 new aircraft and 5 new helicopters to non scheduled operators. Most of the non scheduled operators run smaller aircraft such as Kingair and Beachcraft. The new helicopters permitted include Bell and Allouttee from the Eurocopter range.
The private scheduled operators are at present operating with 25 Boeing aircraft, which will soon go up to 35.