Bame Piet
6 November 2009
The old presidential jet OK1 is going to be around for some time, perhaps until the end of the global recession, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has said.
The BDF is charged with the responsibility for the presidential jet. The BDF Protocol and Public Affairs Officer, Major Bernard Ragalase told Mmegi that companies, individuals and organisations that showed interest in purchasing the jet have changed their minds because of the global economic recession.
The value of the aircraft is estimated at P112 million. The plane was purchased in 1992 and has clocked 6, 200 hours. A new presidential jet arrived last month prompting questions on the fate of the old one. There are reports that the new plane has been named OK1 while the old one has been re-named OK2. When he left for the United States on Tuesday, President Ian Khama boarded a plane marked OK1.
Ragalase said that the old plane will remain part of their fleet until it is sold.
The jet made headlines three years ago when a crack was discovered in its windscreen while flying over Greece with former President Festus Mogae on board. It was forced to make an emergency landing to attend to the crack. The problem resulted in government making a decision to purchase a new presidential jet from Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier at an estimated value of P300 million. The old jet is serviceable and safe to fly.
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