Errr, are we not getting wrong end of the stick here? I though the story said that the deal was BA would retain badging and livery on the aircraft in return for reducing the costs from what could otherwise be a £250,000 a month lease. There would be some deltas to provision the self protection suite that the Royal 146s have and some other conversions, but I thought the point was that by paying an annual retainer to BA then leasing the aircraft as required the costs would be less.
Notwithstanding that; even if it was the full quarter million a month - do the math -
£250,000 a month equates to about £8500 per day. Assuming the aircraft goes to NYC for 3 days, cost is £25500. Now how much is a BA Business return to NYC these day? £2500-ish? So for the price of 10 Business returns, we can have a whole aircraft - seems like a damn good deal to me!!
Also, if the aircraft does a two week tour to OZ back it would cost £125,000-ish. Again, what cost a seat to Oz - £4,000 business? So 29 seats on BA scheduled or the whole aircraft? Again - seems like a deal.
You have seen the numbers of media types that travel when the PM goes anywhere. Fill the damn thing with the newpaper and TV hacks, each paying a grand a head and you soon cover the costs - may even make a wee profit! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Perhaps the real issue should be that he is using an American product. OK, so the RJ is no more and doesnt have long range legs anyway but he could at least go for an RR powered A330 - either as a european aircraft or if you prefer as one that has wings and engines from the UK.
Given that the UK & US politicians still havent renogotiated Bermuda II, I would think that bmi british midland would be happy to charter out one of their spare A330s.
Besides, the cost of a commercial charter is still probably cheaper than buying something and having the RAF run it. Unless of course they were buying something for troop transport / AAR that could be reconfigured appropriately.
Finally, not wishing to take a political stand; even if this lease were set up by Blair, I am certain that sucessor governments would also use it. Everyone likes to whine when its not their toy, but once in charge tunes soon change.
The only exception I can recall is the Canadians - one pary in power bought two A320s for VIP transport. They lost the election and the new government refused to use them as they seemed wasteful!! So they sat there - wasting money!!!
Course thats just my opinion and I could be wrong. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: EX FTE ]</p>