South Africa’s’ highly controversial £54 million presidential Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), originally scheduled to enter service in August 2002, arrived at Waterkloof Air Base, in the dead of night on 21 October 2002. The intercontinental jet, named "Inkwazi" (meaning fish eagle - also feature on the SAAF emblem), was flown on a non-stop delivery flight some 9,500km from Basel, Switzerland, into a crescendo of domestic political debate which had been raging over the ‘extravagance’. In view of the controversy, there was concern that a public launching event might be seen as too ostentatious, and it was clearly felt that the BBJ should just quietly assume its VIP role. As a result, photos were scarce, the first one (top photo) emerging some two weeks after its arrival in South Africa.

Controversial:

Right to the bitter end, the opposition, Democratic Alliance (DA) objected to the purchase, issuing a press release entitled "The Ego has landed". This claimed "…the luxury purchase was an indication of President Mbeki's extravagance, in contrast to the hard reality which many South Africans have to face… …South Africa needs job opportunities, housing and an extensive AIDS programme." (By way of contrast to the £54 million purchase, the SA AIDS relief budget was running at £79 million at the time). The statement went on to argue that various national leaders used their countries' official airlines on official visits, and for African visits, President Mbeki could use his "old" Falcon 900 jetliner.

Counting the cost:

The jet, one of over 50 in service worldwide, will be used primarily by President Mbeki, but it will also be at the disposal of Deputy President Jacob Zuma and other Cabinet members. The costs for the BBJ were revealed by the SA Defence ministry. The initial price of the "green aircraft" - a term used to describe the basic aircraft without interior cabinet fittings or exterior paint - was approximately £25 million. The cost of the design, interior fitting and exterior finishing to upgrade it to VIP status was £9 million, with VAT of about £5 million also due. A further £10 million was earmarked for specialist support equipment, delivery and management costs, and crew training. These figures together total around £54 million. The aircraft is budgeted for the first two years of operations as a SAAF responsibility. The estimated operating costs, inclusive of fuel, maintenance, in flight services and airport landing fees, are (a surprisingly low) £0.75 million for the first three years, while fortunately, much of the equipment is under warranty! Perhaps it is also surprising that the jet was purchased outright rather than leased.

New Long Range Capability:

A SAAF statement claimed the BBJ was the only jet to meet "Presidential requirements". Based on the Boeing 737-700 passenger airliner, it can fly more than 11 100km (6 000 nautical miles) at 870 km/h, covering routes between Los Angeles to London; New York to Buenos Aires or London to South Africa with ease. A spokesman pointed out that because the jet has the capacity to fly non-stop to Europe and Asia, President Mbeki will no longer have to land in other African countries to refuel. "Besides the security risks at foreign airports, there are also protocol problems. Even if it is 3am, protocol dictates that the President of the country he is stopping in to refuel has to come and receive him. This is sometimes embarrassing and inconvenient." On trips of more than 10 175km (5 500 nautical miles) the aircraft carries a maximum of just eight passengers, while it can accommodate up to 18 people on shorter flights.