Bids for acquiring four ''Boeing 737-800'' on dry lease have been unsealed at Pakistan International Airline (PIA) office here on Monday. Although the national carrier has shown keenness to acquire new planes on dry lease, none of the planes offered by the bidders was manufactured after year 2007.
According to sources, four bidders namely Excel Air, Air Speed, Alasco Air and Standard Chartered are contesting against PIA invitation.
Excel Air has offered to provide four 737-800 - two planes of 1998 model while rest of two Boeing737-800 were made in 2003 and 2007 by November-December, 2012.
Air Speed has submitted its bid for nine Boeing777 including two Boeing777-200ER, being presently operated by Egypt Air, and seven Boeing777. Air Speed has offered to provide these planes, which were manufactured in 2001 and 2002, to PIA by August 2013.
Alasco Air has tendered its bid for three Boeing777-300ER of 1998 model. Similarly, Standard Chartered has offered to provide seven Boeing 737-700 of 1998 model by October 2012-13 on dry lease.
It is interesting to mention, PIA has invited bids for acquiring four ''Boeing 737-800'' on dry lease. However, only one bidder ''Excel Air'' has submitted its offer as per invitation. No winner was announced till filing of this report.