President's new jet on its way

President Thabo Mbeki will be able to take to the skies in style in September with the South African Air Force's first inter-continental VIP aircraft scheduled to arrive in the country within three weeks.

The Boeing Business Jet, which will cost South Africa R587-million, is due to fly to Pretoria next week from Basel, Switzerland where luxury interior fittings, including a state-of-the-art office, are being installed. Its delivery has now been delayed by two weeks due to the Civil Aviation Authority running final tests on the aircraft, Defence Ministry spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi said.

The jet, one of 50 in service worldwide, will be used primarily by Mbeki, but Deputy President Jacob Zuma and other members of Cabinet will also be able to travel long distances in it. The aircraft's hi-tech equipment includes conference facilities and satellite voice and fax communications. While the basic aircraft cost R300-million, about R108-million was spent to upgrade it to VIP status. A further R180-million was earmarked for specialist support equipment, delivery and management costs, and the training of the crew.

According to Boeing's director for socio-economic affairs, Isaac Nkama, the Boeing Business Jet can fly more than 11 100km (6 000 nautical miles) non-stop. Mkhwanazi said that because the jet has the capacity to fly non-stop to Europe and Asia, Mbeki will no longer have to land in other African countries to refuel. "Besides the security risks at foreign airports, there are also protocol problems. Even if it is 3am, protocol dictates that the president of the country he is stopping in to refuel has to come and receive him. This is sometimes embarrassing and inconvenient," Mkhwanazi said. On trips of more than 10 175km (5 500 nautical miles) the airplane can carry a maximum of eight passengers, while it can accommodate up to 18 people on short flights.

Sunday Times