Checkout Magazine has learnt that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu flew to Pretoria for the second-term inauguration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on a chartered aircraft because of the poor state of the presidential jet.
The President left Lagos on Monday aboard a chartered plane instead of the 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) nicknamed Nigerian Air Force 001, which is the official aircraft of the President.
A source in the government said the BBJ is undergoing C-Check making it unavailable for the trip. Besides, other planes in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) are also not in a state to make the journey.
The source said: “The President took a chartered plane to South Africa because most of the aircraft in PAF are currently undergoing routine maintenance because of their poor condition.
“The 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) being used by Mr. President is also affected. The plane is more than 20 years old.
“None of the other jets in the fleet could be recalled from where they are undergoing check to fly the President to South Africa.
“Technically, the aircraft which flew the President to Lagos for Eid-el Kabir was not fit enough to make the shuttle to the inauguration of the South African President.
“President Tinubu does not derive pleasure in flying about in a chartered jet. What will he gain? But when it comes to technical audit of the aircraft of PAF, safety is a top priority. It is better to mitigate any risk than aggravate it.”
