BRITAIN’s new ministerial aircraft may not be quite as luxurious as the triple-decked Air Force One, with its on-board gym and fold-out operating table.
But aviation experts said that for the price of £12 million a year the Government can easily afford a luxury business airliner and runaround corporate jet.
Top of the range for the airliner is the Boeing Business Jet, a version of the 737 adapted to fly to most long-haul destinations. It can seat between 80 and 100 passengers, and fly up to 5,600 miles, which would get the Prime Minister to Washington, Tokyo or Beijing.
The “head-of-state configuration” consists of a bedroom, conference suite and office at the rear of the cabin with broadband access and high security telephone links.
The jet has been adapted to carry additional security features, with the most popular a missile detection system that fires flares to distract approaching weapons. “These are very popular for heads of state and Boeing has just built the 100th model so they should be relatively easy to pick up second hand,” George Galanopoulos, managing director of London Executive Aviation, a private jet operator, said.
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Two of the jets have been in the service of the Australian Government since 2002.
If Mr Blair wants to buy European, Airbus has a similar model, the corporate jetliner, which can seat about 100 with similar facilities, including the security add-ons.
For the smaller runaround jet, the choice is more extensive.
The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has a small-engine jet called Legacy for 12 to 34 passengers with a standard business-class layout and state-of-the-art communications facilities.
Canada Air also offers a corporate jet with security enhancements and satellite communications. Both can travel as far as the Middle East.
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The US President and Vice-President have the option of two customised Boeing 747s for international travel.
The President’s executive suite includes a private dressing room, gym with treadmill, shower and private office.
There are separate sleeping quarters for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel. It has 85 telephones and 19 televisions on board and its galley can prepare meals for 100 passengers.