Presidential Fleet Reduction: FG Puts Three Jets Up For Sale

The Federal Government plans to sell three ageing jets from the presidential fleet to cut maintenance costs, contracting JetHQ to manage the sale.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal Government has announced plans to sell three ageing jets from the presidential air fleet to reduce high maintenance costs.

This decision follows recommendations from both the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, which advocated for the procurement of new aircraft for the President and Vice-President.

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The jets up for sale include a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), the President’s designated aircraft, a Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x. This move will effectively halve the presidential fleet, currently comprising six airplanes and four helicopters.

The fleet has been under scrutiny, with insiders noting that at least half of the aircraft are unserviceable or failing. To facilitate the sale, the government has contracted JetHQ, a prominent US-based airline marketer, to value and market the planes. Preliminary offers are already under review to secure the best deals for the public treasury.

This move comes as legislators push for modernizing the fleet following several incidents involving the current fleet’s aircraft, which raised safety concerns.

These incidents have sparked a debate on the necessity and timing of purchasing new aircraft, given the nation’s economic challenges.

While some lawmakers stress the importance of safety for national leaders, others argue that the timing may reflect insensitivity to broader economic hardships faced by the populace.

Proceeds from the sale are expected to fund the purchase of at least one new jet, with officials stating that buying two new aircraft simultaneously is financially untenable.

 

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“Yes, we have received two offers for the BBJ and one for the Falcon X. But the NSA insisted that we must press for a better deal instead of rushing to have a bad deal for the government,” an PAF official involved with the process said on condition of anonymity.

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