Air Zimbabwe will send 12 technicians to Lufthansa Technik in Germany for procedural checks on its Boeing 767 plane that has been undergoing engine maintenance in that country, reported the official The Herald on Tuesday.

Air Zimbabwe acting chief executive officer Captain Oscar Madombwe confirmed the impending departure on Thursday, the newspaper said.

"They are expected to leave in the first week of October for Germany. Basically, they will be doing procedural checks," he said. While in Germany, the technicians would also do engine re- installation, general aircraft inspection and maintenance before the plane is flown back home.

The aircraft, a Boeing 767-200, developed an oil leak in July in Britain and is now expected back in flight in the second week of October.

Air Zimbabwe's other Boeing 767 has since then been solely servicing international routes like London, Beijing, Singapore and Dubai. In the past, the grounded 767-200 and the Boeing 767 shared the routes.

Using one Boeing 767 forced Air Zimbabwe to revise its schedule and at times charter or lease aircraft to cater to high passenger loads, especially in the peak season in July to September.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2006)