Here’s how the world’s leaders travel on air
Here’s a closer look at how the presidents, chancellors, and prime ministers of the world travel.
1. The United States of America
The US president’s Boeing VC25 is a heavily modified version of the Boeing 747-200 airliner. It entered service in 1990 and is expected to be replaced by new planes based on the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in 2024. On some occasions, the US President has been known to use the Boeing 757-200-based C-32 aircraft as well.
2. The Russian Federation
The President of Russia’s fleet of domestically produced aircraft is headlined by five heavily modified Ilyushin IL-96-300PU airliners. The Russian President has also been known to fly on a fleet of smaller executive aircraft based on Tupolev TU-214 airliners.
3. The Federal Republic of Germany
The German Chancellor’s fleet includes a pair of modified Airbus A340-300 airliners that once flew for Lufthansa. The German fleet also features several Airbus A320-family-based executive jets.
4. The People’s Republic of China
The Chinese do not have a dedicated presidential jet. Instead, it uses Boeing 747-400 airliners pulled for the Air China fleet. However, with the 747-400 becoming increasingly dated, Beijing is reportedly working on a converting one of Air China’s 747-8 Intercontinental airliners into a full-time presidential jet.
5. Japan
Since 1993, the Japanese Prime Minister’s plane of choice has been a pair of modified Boeing 747-400s. However, the duo will be replaced this year by a pair of brand new Boeing 777-300ERs.
6. The French Republic
The President of France’s primary jet is an ex-Swissair Airbus A330-200 that has been converted into a VIP transport. France’s presidential fleet also includes several Airbus A310-300s and Airbus A340-200s.
7. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The UK Prime Minister’s official transport is a Royal Air Force Airbus A330MRTT that has been outfitted with 58 business class seats. The plane was converted for VIP duties in 2015 but can still serve as a refueling tanker when not on state business. The plane was converted for VIP duties in 2015 but can still serve as a refueling tanker when not on state business. Until 2015, the UK Prime Minister chartered commercial jets for state visits.
8. The Republic of Korea
The South Korean president conducts official state visits using a converted Boeing 747-400 leased from Korean Air.
9. The Federative Republic of Brazil
The Brazilian President’s main long-haul transport is an Airbus A319-based corporate jet. Brazil’s presidential fleet also features several domestically produced Embraer VIP transports.
10. Canada
The Canadian PM flies onboard a fleet of modified Airbus A310-300s dubbed the CC-150 Polaris.
11. The Republic of Poland
The Polish presidential fleet features a variety of new VIP transports including Embraer E-Jets, Gulfstream G550s, and Boeing 737 BBJs.
12. The Republic of India
The Indian PM traditionally flies aboard Air India Boeing 747-400s operated by the Indian Air Force. However, the aging jumbo jet is reportedly set to be replaced by a new customized Boeing 777-300ER.
13. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
North Korea’s official VIP transports are Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-62M. However, North Korean leadership has more recently used trains and aircraft provided by China.
14. The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
Ivorian presidential fleet includes an Airbus A319 corporate jet.
15. The Islamic Republic of Iran
The Iranian President’s latest VIP transport is an Airbus A340-300 that once flew with Air Canada and Turkish Airlines.
16. Commonwealth of Australia
The Australian PM’s fleet includes several Boeing 737 BBJs. However, a Royal Australian Air Force Airbus A330MRTT is reportedly being converted into a long-range VIP transport.
17. The Republic of Turkey
The Turkish presidential fleet is one of the more impressive in the world. It includes a variety of wide-body commercial airliners that have been converted into VIP transports including Airbus A330-200s, Airbus A340-500s, and a Boeing 747-8I private jet reportedly gifted to Turkey by the Qatari government.
Source – businessinsider.in.
