BREAKING NEWS:Buhari Orders the sale of Nine Presidential Aircraft to reduce Cost

Firstclass newsline has learnt that as part of the federal
government's cost measures, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed
that nine of the VIP transport aircraft under the presidential fleet
should be sold.
Industry sources informed firstclass newsline that the presidential
fleet, which are registered as Nigerian Air Force aircraft, is one of
the largest in Africa and the third largest in Nigeria after Arik Air
and Aerocontractors.
According to an aviation source, who is aware of the directive to sell
the aircraft, the presidency has a number of serviceable and
unserviceable aircraft that need to be disposed of in order to reduce
the amount spent by the federal government for aircraft maintenance
annually.
"Nine, which still have market value, are to be sold immediately to
reduce maintenance costs," he said.
For years, the federal government has spent over N12 billion annually
for the maintenance of the presidential fleet.
Although information on the exact size of the fleet is treated as
classified information, the fleet, according to aviation sources, is
believed to comprise about 16 aircraft, chief of which is the Boeing
738 BBJ, NAF 001 or Eagle One, used by the president for his travels.
With its luxury configuration comprising a master bedroom, washrooms
and showers, a conference and dinning area, and a living area, the
plane seats 25 to 50 passengers and would cost at least $100 million
to replace today.
Eagle One can spend 12 hours in the air, covering 11,489 kilomtres or
6,200 nautical miles.
In addition to the Boeing 733 reserved for the president, the fleet
boasts two Gulfstream 550 jets. The Gulfstream 550 can seat eight to
18 passengers, depending on the configuration, and has a cruiser range
of 12,501 kilometres or 6,750 nautical miles. A new luxury Gulfstream
550 would cost an estimated $53.5 million.
According to Wikipedia, other planes in the Nigerian Air Force VIP
transport fleet include two Dassault Falcon 7X jets, one Hawker
Siddeley 125-800 and one Cessna 550 Citation II.
Information from a Nigerian web portal and Nigerian Air Force sources
further revealed that the fleet also boasts two Dassault Falcon 900
jets, a Gulfstream IVSP, a Gulfstream V, a Dornier Do 228, which can
carry 19 passengers, one Beechcraft King Air B200, and three
AugustaWestland AW139 helicopters.
Sources said each of the two Dassault Falcon 7X jets were purchased
for $51.1 million in 2010 while the Gulfstream 550 cost $53.3 million.
Aviation experts also put the average price of the Falcon 900 at $35
million; Gulfstream IVSP at $40 million; Gulfstream V at $45 million;
Cessna Citation at $7 million; and the Hawker Siddeley at $15 million.
Firstclass newsline also discovered that though all the aircraft are
under the presidential fleet, about eight of the planes are reserved
strictly for the president.
These are the Boeing 737, the two Gulfstream 550 jets, the Gulfstream
V jet, two Falcon 7X planes, the Hawker Siddeley aircraft and one
AugustaWestland chopper.
Others are reserved for executive airlift. Aircraft used for this
function include the two Falcon 900 planes, the Dornier, the Cessna
Citation, the Beechracft King Air, and two AugustaWestland choppers.
Aircraft reserved for executive airlift are used by the
Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and could be used to
convey African heads of states visiting or departing Nigeria.
Firstclassnewsline.net