Gourt Home::Gourt :: Air transports of Heads of State
Some nations maintain one or more special aircraft to transport their heads of state and government. One in particular has been immortalised in popular culture: Air Force One, used by the President of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force.
Argentina
A Boeing 757 is currently the Tango 01.
Australia
In 2002, the Royal Australian Air Force acquired two new Boeing Business Jets (BBJ's are custom configured Boeing 737's) fitted with facilities such as conference tables, offices suites, secure satellite and communication capabilities for use by Australian officials, especially the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Governor-General. The two planes have a longer range than is standard for Boeing Business Jets. The Prime Minister regularly uses the jets for both domestic and international travel.
The aircraft are also made available to the British royal family (who are considered Australian Royals when in Australia), and were recently utilised by Prince Charles in 2005 and the Queen in 2006. The planes are operated by the No. 34 Squadron RAAF (which also operates a number of smaller VIP aircraft), based at Defence Establishment Fairbairn, Canberra. Prior to the acquisition of the 737s, the prime minister flew in custom-configured Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707s. These aircraft were both previously Qantas passenger aircraft and were larger than the 737s currently in use.
Brazil
Brazil has had presidential aircraft since 1941, when Getulio Vargas purchased a Lockheed Lodestar. In 1959, president Juscelino Kubitschek replaced it with two Vickers Viscounts. In 1967, Artur da Costa e Silva acquired a BAC-111, which was used until 1976, when president Ernesto Geisel replaced it with two Boeing 737-200. In 1986, the Brazilian Air Force refitted one of its four KC-137 (a military version of the Boeing 707, like the KC-135) to serve as the presidential aircraft, which was known as Sucatão (Big Junk). This KC-137 was used until May of 2003, when president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva replaced it for a brand new Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner, which despite being officially named Santos Dumont, is called Aerolula, in reference to the president's nickname. Another nickname, taken from a political website poll, is more explicit: Air Force 51, referencing to Pirassununga 51, a popular Cachaça brandRohter, Larry, New York Times. Brazilian Leader's Tippling Becomes National Concern. The KC-137 has returned to its original role of aerial refueling tanker aircraft and transport.
Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei has several private planes in VIP configuration to bring him and others abroad. A Boeing B747-430 V8-ALI is the most used aircraft of the Royal Flight. Several other planes include an Airbus A340-200 and a Boeing B767-200ER.
Burkina Faso
A Boeing 707-328C XT-BBF, operated by Naganagani, is used to transport the President of Burkina Faso.
Canada
The Canadian Forces Air Command's 437 Squadron operates one of five Airbus A310-300s (CC-150 Polaris) in a VIP configuration for the transport of the Prime Minister, high ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries Canadian Air Forces. CC-150 Polaris information. In Addition, 412 Squadron operates four Bombardier Challenger 604 business jets (CC-144)Canadian Air Forces. CC-144 Challenger information for VIP transport.
Colombia
In 1933 Colombia acquired its first airplane for presidential purpose, a Junkers Ju 52/3M, one of the most advanced of that time, and served former Colombian president Enrique Olaya Herrera, until retirement from service in 1950. From 1953 to 1972 a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, served as presidential airplane during the dictatorship of Gustavo Rojas Pinilla. In 1972 a new Fokker F28 1000 model, became presidential airplane during the mandate of Misael Pastrana Borrero until retiring from service in 2005 when now president Alvaro Uribe Velez urged congress to purchase a new aircraft due to safety and environmental concerns. After 33 years of service the airplane was almost obsolete and very noisy. In many occasions the plane nearly collided while transporting the president. Colombians nicknamed it the "The Presidential Coffee Pot". This aircraft was penalized more than once for violating decibel airport standards and sometimes even prohibited landing also due to environment contamination.
This aircraft is also notorious because during Ernesto Samper Pizano's presidency, in September 22, 1996, three kilos of heroin were found hidden inside the plane, hours before departing to New York City, where President Samper would attend a United Nations General Assembly. The incident was grave because the United States had canceled Samper's visa for having alleged connections to drug barons who financed his political campaign. Finally, Samper travelled to the United States with a Diplomatic visa and in a rented plane.
In July 2005, Colombia acquired a Boeing 737-700 BBJ for presidential transport. Its code name is FAC 0001 or Fuerza Aerea Colombiana 0001 (Colombian Air Force 0001).
France
France's officials travel with the Escadron de transport, d'entraînement et de calibrage (ETEC, "Transportation, training and calibration squadron"), a unit under direct orders of the Ministry of Defence. The ETEC uses 6 Falcon 900 for travels within Europe, and 2 Airbus A319 for medium or long range flights.
Air France chartered flights are also used by French officials, most notably the Concorde when it was still in service with that airline.
Germany
Germany's senior government officials use two Airbus 310-304 aircraft, previously of East Germany's Interflug, redesigned as Airbus 310 VIP by Lufthansa Technik for medium and long distance travel. The airplanes are named after Konrad Adenauer, after the first chancellor of (West) Germany, and Theodor Heuss, after Germany's first President. Additionally, the German air force's "standby airlifting unit" (Flugbereitschaft) operates six Challenger 601 jets and three Eurocopter Cougar AS532 helicopters to handle the transportation needs of representatives of the German Government, Parliament and Military.
Greece
Greece's prime minister has a Gulfstream V at his disposal, which is under the operational command of the Hellenic Air Force. The airplane was bought by the government of Costas Simitis for the needs of Greece's 2003 EU presidency and the preparations of the 2004 Olympic Games. Two other aircraft used over the last two decades for the same purpose raised controversy. A Dassault Falcon 900, had a range of technical problems culminating to an accident that cost the life of the deputy minister of foreign affairs Giannos Kranidiotis and five other persons due to severe in-flight pitch oscillations 20 minutes before landing at Bucharest on September 9th, 1999 Pope, Stephen, Aviation International News Olympic Airways Falcon 900 fatal blamed on pilot error. Falcon's problems prompted in 1992 the government of Constantine Mitsotakis to replace it with a refitted Boeing 727 amid charges of extravagant costs. The next government of Andreas Papandreou duly converted the Boeing 727 into a charter plane in 1994.
India
The Government of India uses Air India and Indian Airlines for the overseas transportation of Government officials. AI 001 is a special Boeing 747-237B plane operated by Air India to transport the Prime Minister and President of India. Other Union cabinet members may travel in AI 001 upon the Prime Minister's consent. Additionally, the Indian Air Force operates several HAL Dhruv, Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft to meet the government's transportation requirements.
Ireland
The Irish Government uses a number of jets to to transport the President of Ireland, the Taoiseach and Cabinet Ministers. The Irish Air Corps maintains the Governmental fleet.
Japan
The two aircraft are based at New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, but generally operate from Tokyo International Airport, the centrally-located domestic airport in Tokyo.
Kazakhstan
The Government of Kazakhstan uses a Boeing 767 for transport.
Kenya
Kenya's president has a Fokker ER70 for use as the presidential jet. The aircraft was purchased in 1995 by the government for Kenya's 2nd president, Daniel arap Moi. The purchase was widely criticised as a waste of resources considering Kenya's low GDP, high debts, poor roads & high levels of poverty. It is not clear whether it was a new or refurbished plane that was purchased.
Parliamentary approval was not obtained to acquire the then latest Fokker executive plane at a cost of $50 million.
The 70-seater jet was reconfigured into a 28-seater, with three suites, bathroom and kitchen. It is equipped with the latest telecommunication facilities.
Prior to the purchase of the Fokker, Moi primarily used British Airways for his international travel.
Mexico
Mexico's President uses a Boeing 757 built in 1987 exclusively for this purpose. The planes official name is TP-01, which stands for Transporte Presidencial 1.
Malaysia
Malaysia's Prime Minister and the Royal Family travel in a Boeing 737-700 BBJ, formerly of Malaysia Airlines, which was later sold to the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Its registration is M53-01 (formerly registered 9M-BBJ with Malaysia Airlines). Airliners.net. Photo of Malaysian B-737 at Kota Bharu Airport
Netherlands, Kingdom of the
The Dutch government operates a Fokker 70 (F28-0070) as a means of transport for the Dutch Royal family and government officials, such as the prime minister and other ministers. It is used to attend international conferences, but also for trips by the queen and the prince royal. The callsign is PH-KBX; PH for the Netherlands and KBX for 'Koningin BeatriX' or 'Queen Beatrice'. The aircraft is maintained by Martinair.
New Zealand
The Royal New Zealand Airforce maintain 2 Boeing 757-200's which are only occasionally used to transport the Prime Minister of New Zealand and other government officials. As multi-role aircraft they are more often used as transport aircraft for troops or freight. Generally the Prime Minister and government officials use commercial or chartered flights (with Air New Zealand where available) to travel both domestically and internationally.
Pakistan, Islamic Republic Of
An Airbus A-310 is operated by Pakistan International Airlines, the national carrier, for use by the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The plane is commonly called "PAK ONE" by its callsign. Earlier, a Boeing 707 * was used.
President Muhammad Zia-ul-haq used C-130B* for his trips. He was killed on August 17,1988 when the plane (PAF 23494, ex-USAF 62-3494, c.n. 3708) crashed near Bahawalpur. The crash killed all aboard including the then US ambassador to Pakistan and a US General.
Ex-Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto used a Boeing 737 * for their official trips and it was maintained by Pakistan Government Transport.
The Pakistan Air Force is planning to buy a Boeing 777 for travel of high ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries. As of May 2006, two Boeing 707 a Airbus A-310 and two Fokker are being maintained for officials.
These aircraft are based in Chaklala Airbase near the capital city of Islamabad.
People's Republic of China
Air transportation for President or Executives of China is only operated by Air China, the national carrier. A specific Boeing 747-400 is usually used for long distance trips, a Boeing 767 is used for mid-haul trips, and a Boeing 737-800 is used for short distance trips. A Boeing 767 was purchased by the People's Republic of China government for use by President Jiang Zemin in 2000. This Boeing 767 was originally ordered by Delta Air Lines. An international incident occurred in 2001 when the government claimed it had discovered 27 bugs embedded in the aircraft's interior; the plane had been refitted in San Antonio, Texas and now operating as a normal civil airliner of Air China.
Peru
The official air transport for the President of Peru is a Boeing 737-500. There is talk of a new aircraft being purchased but it is probable that it will not become official until the new president is inaugurated, as the number of diplomatic trips that President Alejandro Toledo is taking has been criticised.
The current livery of the aircraft has the Flag of Peru on the tail fins, a black fuselage, a white background and the words REPUBLICA DEL PERU on the front with the Coat of Arms of Peru to the left. Its Peruvian Air Force designator is FAP 356.
The Philippines
The 250th (Presidential) Airlift Wing of the Philippine Air Force has the mandate of securing the President and the First Family by providing them safe and efficient air transport. On occasion, the wing has also been tasked to provide transportation for other members of government, visiting heads of state, and other state guests. The fleet includes: 1 DC-9 McDonnel-Douglas plane, 1 Fokker F28, which is primarily used for the President's domestic trips, 4 Bell 412 helicopters, 3 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, 2 Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma helicopters, 1 Sikorsky S-70-5 Black Hawk, a number of Bell UH-1N Hueys, as well as Fokker F-27 Friend Ships. For trips outside of the Philippines, the Air Force employs a Bombardier Learjet 60 or charters appropriate aircraft from Philippine Airlines. For short- to medium-haul flights, Boeing 737s were initially used and have since been replaced by the Airbus A320. For long-haul flights, Boeing 747-400s were initially used and their roles are now being fulfilled by the Airbus A340-300.
Russian Federation
The plane of the President of Russia is an Ilyushin Il-96-300.*
South Africa
The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737-7ED(BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force.
Switzerland
The Swiss Air Force operates a fleet of three small aircraft — a Dassault Falcon 50, Lear Jet and Super King Air — to provide international VIP air transportation for up to ten passengers. This is mainly used by members of the Swiss Federal Council. The 6th Air Transport Company (Lufttransportstaffel 6) also operates a number of Super Puma helicopters, some of which are configured as VIP transports for domestic use.
United Kingdom
Air transport for the Royal Family and executive of the United Kingdom is currently provided by No. 32 Squadron of the the Royal Air Force (RAF); chartered civilan aircraft; and scheduled commerical flights. No. 32 Squadron's executive transport role is secondary to its principal function of providing communications and logistical support for military operations. Given that, the fact that the aircraft are increasingly unsuitable to an executive transport role and the security concerns of chartering commercial aircraft, the government plans to acquire two dedicated executive transports for the use of the Royal Family and executive.
United States
The President of the United States uses two customized Boeing 747-200B jetliners for international travel. The planes, both called "Air Force One" (their name and callsign), are a prominent symbol of the presidency and its power.
The callsign of any military aircraft that currently carries the President is called that military branch name followed by "One", such as Air Force One or Marine One (which is typically associated with a helicopter).
Vatican
Whenever the Pope flies on a plane, it is nicknamed "Shepherd One." Typically, it is a chartered Alitalia jumbo jet, however, the nickname follows the Pope to smaller craft when necessary to land at small airports, for example, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories in 1984 (aborted by fog) and 1988, when a Boeing 737 was used. The tradition is for the Pope to fly to the country he is visiting on a chartered Alitalia jet and to return on a jet belonging to a flag carrier from the nation. On the occasion of Pope Benedict XVI's return from the Cologne 20th World Youth Day, a Lufthansa Airbus A321 was used for the flight. The name of the aircraft itself was Regensburg, which was the adopted hometown of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before being elected Pope. The pilot was Flugkapitän Martin Ott, who before training as a commercial airline pilot studied theology in Regensburg. He attended Professor Joseph Ratzinger's lectures at Regensburg University.
Venezuela
An Airbus A319CJ serves as the presidential transport for President Hugo Chávez *.
Zaire
Perhaps one of the most controversial air transports for a head of state was that of Zaire dictator Mobuto Sese Seko, who leased a supersonic Concorde in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The jet, obtained from Air France, was based at Gbadolite and was not only used for diplomatic missions but also for European shopping trips for the ruler's wealthy family. There was also a 707 (9T-MSS) used for a while, stored in Lisbon since 1996. The government also had a 727 (9Q-RDZ)
References
"Air transports of Heads of State"