Kathmandu, Jan 23:The Royal Nepal Airline Corporation (RNAC), with a view to carry on its international flights, has decided to lease a Boeing 767 plane for two years on an AMI (Aircraft Maintenance Insurance wherein the Corporation’s own flight crews will fly the plane) basis. As for the maintenance of the wet-leased plane, it will be the responsibility of the company that leases it out, an RNAC press statement stated today.

The Corporation’s Board of Directors, after a thorough deliberation, reached a decision on December 2, 1999 to directly purchase a Boeing 767 jet from the manufacturing company. As per the decision, steps to purchase a Boeing 767 plane from the manufacturing company were initiated.

The manufacturing company, however, said that it would be able to supply a Boeing 767 jet only 21 months after receiving a purchasing order. It was for this reason that the Corporation, through a global tender, has decided to go in for a two-year wet lease, the Corporation stated.

The Corporation, in order to regularise its international flights, needs at the least, three jets. Right now, it is maintaining its international flights through its own fleet of 2 Boeing 757 jets and one wet-leased Boeing 767 plane. The present wet-leased Boeing 767 jet’s agreement with China South West Airlines would be coming to an end by 27th March this year. Keeping in mind the nation’s ever flourishing tourism industry and the need to go in for a wide-body aircraft to cater to the rising influx of passengers, the Corporation, after March 28th, has decided to induct a Boeing 767 jet plane in its fleet of 3 jets needed to regularise its international routes through a global tender, its press release further said.