Air transports of heads of state and government

One of the most recognisable air transports of Heads of State, a VC-25A of the United States Air Force.

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

Main article: Agrupación Aérea Presidencial

The Agrupación Aérea Presidencial (Spanish for Presidential Air Group) is the Head of State Air Transport Unit of 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 larger than the 737s currently in use. The Royal Australian Airforce also operates a fleet of VIP Bombardier Challenger aircraft.

Bulgaria

Aviodetachment-28 of the Bulgarian Air Force operates a Tupolev Tu-154, Dassault Falcon 2000, and a Mil Mi-8 helicopter for use by the President and Prime Minister and other government officials.

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 brand. 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. Other web-sites have reported the Sultan as having 2 Boeing 747-430s but this cannot be confirmed at this time. He did own a B747SP V8-AC1 aircraft which was sold and is now in use by the Bahrain Amiri Flight group.

Burkina Faso

A Boeing 707-328C XT-BBF, operated by Naganagani, is used to transport the President of Burkina Faso.

Canada

File:CL601 144616 21.05.05 TP.jpg

Canadian Bombardier Challenger 604

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 including members of the Canadian Royal Family, and foreign dignitaries . In Addition, 412 Squadron operates four Bombardier Challenger 604 business jets (CC-144) for VIP transport.

China, People's Republic of

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 operates as a normal civil airliner of Air China.

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).

Ecuador

Ecuador currently uses a Hawker Siddeley HS-748 (FAE-739) and a Rockwell Sabreliner 40D (FAE-047). Aircraft from the flag-carrier airline TAME's fleet, including Boeing 727s, Fokker F28s, and Embraer E-Jets can also be drafted for government use.

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.

Gambia

Gambia used a an Il-62 for their flights.

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 Special Air Mission Wing Federal Ministry of Defence (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 . 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 Government has purchase three BBJs; the Jet is capable of travelling up to 6,000 nautical miles non-stop.

The induction of the aircraft into the VVIP fleet will give the option of flying 10-30 people non-stop between India and the UK and Tokyo and Mumbai, among other destinations. The aircraft will be fitted with a missile deflecting security system.

Each aircraft is likely to cost the Government about $60 million. The Government is said to be purchasing the BBJ version that has Boeing 737-700 fuselage with a Boeing 737-800 wing.

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 - consisting of; a Lear Jet 45, a Gulfstream IV and a Beechcraft King Air.

Italy

The Italian Air Force operates two Airbus Corporate Jets. One Airbus is equipped with 30-seats for use by the Prime Minister or President, the other aircraft has 50-seats for use of government officials. Smaller Dassault Falcon 50 and Dassault Falcon 900 aircraft are also used for government transport. Two Agusta SH-3D Sea Kings are operated for use by the President and Government officials and are also used by the Pope.

Japan

Japan maintains two 747-47C (20-1101 and 20-1102) aircraft for the Prime Minister, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and other government officials via the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The planes' paint schemes consist of the word "Japan" spelled out in Japanese kanji and English on the fuselage, a red stripe painted across the windows from nose to tail, and the hinomaru (sun) symbol on the tail and both wings.

Japanese government 747 in Sapporo

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 most commonly known as "Haneda Airport".

Kazakhstan

The Government of Kazakhstan uses a Boeing 767 for transport.

Kenya

Kenya's president has a Fokker 70 for use as the presidential jet. The aircraft was purchased new 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.

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 Business Jet, operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force with the serial M53-01. The BBJ was purchased in 2003 from Malaysia Airlines who operated it with the registration 9M-BBJ.

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.

Nigeria

The Nigerian Airforce maintains a Boeing Business Jet as a means of transport for the President of Nigeria. The plane is marked NAF-001.

Norway

The air transport of the King and Prime Minister of Norway is mostly handled by normal airliners (such as Scandinavian Airlines) with the VIPs travelling as normal passengers. However the Norwegian government charter small private jets for government ministers when needed. The Royal Norwegian Air Force 717 Squadron at Rygge Air Station also maintain one Dassault Falcon 20 for VIP-transport of the royal family, ministers and armed forces senior staff.

Pakistan, Islamic Republic of

Pakistan Goverment Transport, the goverment carrier, currently operates an Airbus A310 and one new Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV-SP to transport government officials for the President and Prime Minister's use. The plane is commonly called "PAK ONE", the callsign under which it operates.

Before it came into service, Boeing 707s[1] had served as the primary presidential aircraft.

President Muhammad Zia-ul-haq used a LockheedC-130B [2] for his trips.

Ex-Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto used a Boeing 737[3] for their official trips. The airliner was maintained by Pakistan Government Transport. The Pakistan Air Force plans to purchase a Gulfstream V for transportation of high-ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries.

These aircraft are based at Chaklala Airbase near the capital city of Islamabad.

Peru

The Presidential Aircraft of Peru landing at the Las Palmas Airforce Base in the Chorrillos District of Lima with President Alejandro Toledo on board

While a fleet of elderly DC-8s are maintained by the Peruvian Air Force for government use, the official aircraft of the President of Peru is a Boeing 737-500. It was purchased under dubious circumstances; then-president Alberto Fujimori's brother Santiago Fujimori was criminally charged for 'recommending' the multi-million dollar investment, which was seen as a frivolous purchase for a third-world country such as Peru.

The aircraft's current livery sports the Flag of Peru on the vertical fin, a white fuselage with a black underbelly with red pinstripes, and the words "Republica del Peru" adorning the front, with the Coat of Arms of Peru displayed to the side. Its Peruvian Air Force designator is FAP 356.

The Philippines

A joint U.S.-Philippine Marine honor guard, stand in formation as an SA-330 Puma carrying President Corazon Aquino arrives at Subic Bay

The 250th (Presidential) Airlift Wing of the Philippine Air Force has the mandate of securing the President of the Philippines 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 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. Prior to 1962, the Air Force chartered aircraft from Pan American World Airways as the international services of Philippine Airlines were suspended. For short-haul flights, Boeing 737s were initially used and have since been replaced by the Airbus A320. For medium- to long-haul flights, Boeing 747-400s were initially used; 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.[4]

South Africa

The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737-7ED (BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force's 21 Squadron, which is based at AFB Waterkloof in the nation's capital city.

Spain

The Spanish Air Force (Spanish: Ejercito del Aire) operates two customized Airbus A310 and few Falcon 20 and Falcon 100 for transportation of His Majesty the King, the Royal Family members, and the high ranking government members. This transportation services are provided by the 45 Group, based in Torrejón Air Base, 22 kilometers near Madrid.

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 6^th Air Transport Company (Lufttransportstaffel 6) also operates a number of Super Puma helicopters, some of which are configured as VIP transports for domestic use.

Taiwan, Republic of China

Air transportation for President or high-ranking officials of Taiwan is operated by the Republic Of China (Taiwan) Air Force using a customized Boeing 737-800 , registration #3701 delivered from Boeing in 2001. A Boeing 747 operated by Taiwan's national airline, China Airlines is used for long-haul trips by the President and his staff.

Turkey

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey uses a configured Airbus A319-115X CJ. The call sign for this aircraft when the Prime Minister is aboard is TC-ANA (Which in English translates to "Turkish Republic- MAIN"). [5] The Turkish Prime Minister also has at his or her disposal several VIP Boeing and Airbus aircraft which are maintained by Turkish Airlines (the national carrier of the Turkish Republic).

The President of the Republic of Turkey uses a Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV VIP Jet, but again has several special VIP Aircraft at his or her disposal from Turkish Airlines.

All Presidential and Prime Ministerial Aircraft are manned and maintained by the Turkish Government or Turkish Military personnel .

Turkmenistan

A Boeing 767-300ER (EZ-A700) was delivered in October 2004 for use of the President.

United Kingdom

Main article: Air transport of the Royal Family and executive of the 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 civilian aircraft; and scheduled commercial 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 (dubbed Blair Force One by the media, in reference to British Prime Minister Tony Blair).

United States

Main article: Air Force One

Main article: Marine One

The President of the United States uses two customized Boeing 747-200B jetliners. These aircraft carry the military designation VC-25A.

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 of Venezuela Hugo Chávez [6].

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)

External links

• A Collection of Heads of State Aircraft Photos