AdoAir to retain VIP jet order?
Date: 11 May 2011
By Dean Wingrin
The AdoAir on/off VIP jet deal appears to be on again, but this time with different aircraft.
The Unofficial SAAF Website reported on 24 April that the previously announced AdoAir lease of two Embraer Linaege 1000 jets for Government VIP transport had been cancelled and that the tender has been given to another bidder.
The five year, US$120 million lease for the two Embraer aircraft had been signed with AdoAir; a small aviation company based at Lanseria Airport and owned by Nigerian businessman Adegboyega Olulade. However, sources indicate that AdoAir could not come up with the finances to purchase the Embraer aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer. As a result, another tenderer, specialist aviation company ExecuJet Aviation Group, also of Lanseria, was thought to have been given the South African Air Force tender. ExecuJet offered another Boeing Business Jet similar to the current Presidential jet ("South Africa One") and a slightly smaller Bombardier Global Express XRS.
It now seems that AdoAir will retain the tender after all, but this time with two of the Canadian built Bombardier Global Express XRS aircraft.
Delivery of the two Canadian aircraft is still expected by 1st July 2011.
No official comment could be obtained from the SAAF.
