Power, image, and perception are very crucial for leaders of countries. So do comfort and luxury. These are the perks of being a country leader. For instance, you could maintain aircraft fleets and private jets as you wish. It’s no surprise that the world’s top leaders travel in style. The world is now filled with presidential aircraft, techs, and specifications. Have you ever wondered about the sort of jets powerful heads of state fly with? Read on and explore some of the brilliant private jets of the world’s powerful leaders.
Vladimir Puttin – Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has the biggest fleet, with 132 aircraft. His primary transport is The Russian-made Ilyushin IL-96-300. The plane is painted with a special coating that makes it less detectable to radar on the outside. It also has radar jammers and anti-aircraft defenses. There are tapestries, lots of gold, an office, a bedroom, and a full gym for the President on the inside. It’s valued at half a billion dollars.
Russian leaders also travel by the Doomsday plane, known as The Flying Kremlin. It is an Ilyushin Il-80 plane, a modified version of the Il-86 passenger and cargo plane. The aircraft is designed specifically to protect Russian leaders at all costs from a worst-case scenario. Despite its size, this jet plane does not have any windows – except the cockpit – to ensure full protection through trying atmospheric and weather conditions – or a possible nuclear blast.
The aircraft is practically an airborne command post with special communications equipment placed within a dome on its fuselage that reportedly prevents exposure to electromagnetic pulse attacks. In the case of a nuclear exchange, Russia would use the aircraft to ensure a continued chain of command and communication, for retaliatory attacks, or to move troops on the ground.
Angela Merkel’s – Germany
German Chancellor Angela Merkel flies through an Airbus A340-313X VIP, also known as the Konrad Adenauer, after the first postwar Chancellor of Germany. Markel has several other planes at her disposal, managed by Germany’s Armed forces.
She has a huge fleet available to her. A Eurocopter AS532 is used for flights around Germany and other nearby countries or for longer flights. Angela has access to four business jets, including two Airbus A319-133X CJs, each costing more than £115 million ($120M+), and a Bombardier Global 5000 cost around £55 million ($57M+)
Merkel’s fleet is also equipped with security features like missile defense systems, plus additional fuel tanks, which made it possible to fly up to 13,500 kilometers — enough to get from Berlin to Washington.
Donald Trump – USA
Air Force One is a US Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. Unlike Putin, Trump relies basically on two identical customized aircraft. These are heavily modified Boeing 747-200B models and are referred to within the government by their military designation, VC-25A. If an airport cannot accommodate the VC-25A due to its landing strip capacity, a more compact Boeing C-32 must be used. The presidential air fleet is positioned under the administration of the 89th airlift wing, located at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Similar to Russia’s IL-96-300PU, the extensive modification of the two Boeing 747-200Bs was designed for the US president. The VC-25A has better fuel economy and an increased flight range over the original model. Alterations allowing refueling of the airliner during flight theoretically allow the aircraft to remain in the sky for an indefinite period
Trump’s VC-25A serves as a chief government management center during prolonged flights. Air Force One has several secure communication channels, including satellite. The aircraft’s security systems are prepared to protect from standard attacks and any unusual occurrences such as targeted electromagnetic impulses. The VC-25A is also equipped with a medical suite that acts as a fully functional operating room.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador – Mexico
If you’re a Mexican native, you may not be pleased with former President Enrique Pena Nieto splashing out on the world’s most expensive Jet, but if you’re an aviation enthusiast, it is merely a thing of beauty.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner can accomodate 250 passengers and fly 10,000 miles continuously without refueling. It can make the trip from Los Angeles to Tokyo without stopping. The total costs are rumored to be anything from whooping $218 million to $600 million. The interiors are effortlessly classy. A U-shaped sofa and several desks in the primary lounge make it easy to rest and relax in style.
The Mexican residents met the arrival of the Dreamliner with plenty of negativity and began a petition to stop its arrival. In December 2018, President Enrique Pena Nieto’s successor announced his plan to sell the Dreamliner. The profits are said to be injected back into the Mexican economy.
Kassem-Jomart Tokayev – Kazakhstan
The President of Kazakhstan has access to a full fleet of aircraft rumored to cost more than $250 million. It includes a range of jets and a Mi-8 helicopter, typically used for shorter trips. Despite the presidential fleet being that large, a select few aircraft are repeatedly chosen for the most important occasions. These are Airbus A321-211 CJ, Airbus A320-214 CJ Prestige, Airbus A330-243 Prestige
Of these huge planes, the Airbus A330-243 Prestige is the father. It’s reserved for occasions like the G20, a summit where the world’s most influential leaders meet to discuss topics of major political issues and concerns. It’s been used for official visits to China, the US, and Russia. For instance, the aircraft landed at Vnukovo-2 airport in April 2019 for an official visit to Russia.
Take away
World leaders travel on a private jet for convenience and security reasons. While most people can’t afford to buy their plane, several aviation industries offer passengers to fly private and enjoy the nearly the same luxury and convenience a world leader can experience. Please book your flight with us here at Jetonset!
Recent Comments