After weeks of silence, Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially unveiled his newly purchased Airbus A330 on Monday.
Discussions about acquiring a new jet began following recurring issues with the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) purchased 19 years ago under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The BBJ experienced mechanical failures on separate trips to Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, and South Africa, forcing Bola Tinubu to use a chartered jet—an arrangement the Presidency described as embarrassing.
As government officials pushed for a new aircraft, public outcry grew, with many arguing that acquiring a new jet was not a priority amidst widespread economic hardship and other pressing issues facing Nigeria.
Despite efforts to justify the need for a new plane, public sentiment remained largely unchanged, leading to silence from the Presidency on the matter.
However, in June, an online news outlet reported that the Nigerian government had procured the Airbus A330 from a German bank.
The bank had allegedly seized the aircraft from an unnamed Arabian prince who had defaulted on a significant debt.
The Presidency did not confirm or deny the report, leaving the public uncertain about the purchase.
The first hint of the acquisition came during the controversy surrounding a Chinese firm, yet the Presidency remained silent until Monday, when Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, released pictures of the aircraft along with a brief four-paragraph statement.
Onanuga, who did not disclose the jet’s cost, stated, “The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.” He justified the purchase based on the age of the BBJ acquired during Obasanjo’s administration.
However, aviation experts argue that the age of an aircraft is irrelevant as long as its maintenance schedule is properly followed.
For instance, the U.S. President’s Boeing 747, commonly known as Air Force One, is 34 years old and has served six Presidents, including the current President, Joe Biden.
Previous U.S. Presidents who used the jet include George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
In Nigeria’s case, apart from Obasanjo, who used the BBJ for a few years before leaving office, the plane served four other Nigerian leaders: the late Umar Yar’Adua, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.
An aviation expert, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the age of an aircraft does not matter as long as it is maintained according to schedule.
He said, “They said this one has been operating for 19 years despite the fact that US Air Force One has been operating more than that but it has been undergoing upgrade, upgrade and renovation. I hope we would have the maintenance culture to maintain the airplane because Airbus A330 is a complex airplane. I hope we would have the manpower to maintain the aircraft and keep the parts going.”
The expert who is a Captain added, “You know my stance, age doesn’t matter if the airplane is maintained according to its maintenance schedule and spare parts are provided as when due. I don’t see any problem with the age at all.”
Another expert, who spoke anonymously, added: “Basically Boeing aircraft are more reliable and rugged than the Airbus aircraft. I believe Boeing are better and are in existence than Airbus. Also Boeing aircraft is for all weather unlike Airbus aircraft.”
Another expert joined the conversation, noting that acquiring a new aircraft isn’t a bad thing since it isn’t the President’s personal property.
“It is a Nigerian property. It is a good thing to have a bigger airplane but is it the right time to have it, you can ask the politicians, even if things are hard, you ask the politicians.”
The 15-year-old multi-engine prestige jet, featuring a sophisticated VIP configuration, was manufactured in September 2009 and initially delivered in November 2009 with the registration number VP-CAC to Midroc Aviation, based at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Originally configured as a VIP aircraft with 2xRR engines and HEX CODE 4241AC, the jet was operated by the Saudi Arabian aviation company for 12 years. In April 2021, it was acquired by AMAC Aerospace, a Switzerland-based company, which operated the aircraft for three years before it was purchased by the Nigerian government and upgraded to its current status.
The deal, reportedly facilitated by L & L International LLC, a Miami-based American aviation firm, involved Nigeria purchasing the aircraft for over $100 million.
(Daily Trust)
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