KARACHI, Dec 31: Saif Air International (SAI) has announced Feb 15, 2004 as the tentative date for the launching of its operation.

Capt Tariq Mahmood, CEO of the SAI, told a press conference here on Wednesday that this time, it was entering the business with German, Dutch and British partners with a commitment of Euro 12 million investment. He gave the newsmen a briefing about the SAI operations.

He pointed out that in the initial stage of relaunching domestic flights, the partners had pledged four million Euros. The remainingamount would be made available at the time of launching international operation.

Responding to a questions, Capt Mahmood said that Russian aircraft to manned by foreign pilots and engineers were being acquired. Recalling that the Safe Air had launched its operation in early 2001, he mentioned that the airline had to discontinue its operation owing to the suspension of its AOC for 15 days by the concerned authorities.

He said that there was an amount of Rs13.4 million outstanding against the airline as CAA dues, including penalties. While 20 per cent of the dues had already been paid, the remaining amount would be cleared in 15 instalments, he added.