British PM flies the (Angolan) flag!
Denti - because the press got themselves so excite when Tony Blair wanted his own jet and they labelled it Blair Force One, and now nobody in Govt dares raise the subject again, particularly with all this recession "we're all in it together" malarkey
Well if the government will suck ever-increasing amounts out of us in tax (eg APD) and then spend it overseas with Angolan airlines instead of supporting their taxpayer base, NO WONDER we're in a recession.
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Some odd replies; why is it "cretinous" for a mission to promote trade with a particular country to use the services of that nation? Does Obama fly Ryanair then drive his guests in a Hyundai to eat New Zealand beef?
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@davidjohnson6, thanks for the explanation. Over here the press will of course clamp down on some unjustified use, for example using an A310 to bring a minister back out of his vacation for half a day and then back to his vacation, or a green MP touring south america who flew there and back with the airlines, but needed the service of a government challenger while being there which meant two pretty long empty flights there and back.
But even when they modernized the fleet (2 A340, 2 A319, 4 Global 5000 and 3 Eurocopter AS352) there was only some minor rumble in the papers, nothing big. But the old fleed of A310s and Challengers was breaking down so often by then it was more of pity that they waited so long.
But even when they modernized the fleet (2 A340, 2 A319, 4 Global 5000 and 3 Eurocopter AS352) there was only some minor rumble in the papers, nothing big. But the old fleed of A310s and Challengers was breaking down so often by then it was more of pity that they waited so long.
Getting his own personal jet with a proper flag would solve the problem of nationality.
Else if the problem is a frugal one, then sort it out with the lowest bidder, after all what have you got to lose ?
Else if the problem is a frugal one, then sort it out with the lowest bidder, after all what have you got to lose ?
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Cameron and the posh boys aren't just anti the British airline industry, they are anti aviation in general. Just look at what they've done to the RAF and to our aircraft carriers - but at least we can borrow a French one if we ask nicely. Thank goodness the runway extension at Southend was approved by Denham just before the general election; I don't think the coalition would have let that through - noisy, greenhouse gas emitting aeroplanes flying over Tory voters in Westcliff....
Surely Cameron is slowly learning that aviation is one of Britain's few success stories. Surely he'll at least freeze APD in future. Surely he'll fly British aircraft in future. Surely he'll approve a third runway at LHR. Surely he'll start making some sensible decisions that aren't just designed to support wealth and privilege. Surely he will......
Surely Cameron is slowly learning that aviation is one of Britain's few success stories. Surely he'll at least freeze APD in future. Surely he'll fly British aircraft in future. Surely he'll approve a third runway at LHR. Surely he'll start making some sensible decisions that aren't just designed to support wealth and privilege. Surely he will......
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Well, we can in theory borrow a Carrier as long as the French Premier is still in power, I wouldn't rate that plan lasting if and when Sarkozy gets ousted..
Surely Ryan Air could have come up with something more befitting the supposed austerity measures we are supposed to be going through..
Surely Ryan Air could have come up with something more befitting the supposed austerity measures we are supposed to be going through..
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Cameron's wonderful advisers have contracted this 747 from a secondary Angolan carrier, Sonangol, who to circumvent the ban on their country have got a US charter carrier to provide a registration for this aircraft. Isn't it great that our PM is supporting some grey market dodge.
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Even the Guardian Does Not Make an Issue of This
David Cameron uses oil firm's plane | Politics | The Guardian
As you will see they tried British Airlines first. If we acted like a proper country not one driven by a media agenda then the Government would at least have a decent size corporate jet for official business.
As you will see they tried British Airlines first. If we acted like a proper country not one driven by a media agenda then the Government would at least have a decent size corporate jet for official business.
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I know the Mail would have a field day, but I honestly think an A319/20 or even an A330/343 would be appropriate. Have it flown by the RAF, with the air bridge out to the Falklands, etc a fleet of A330s could probably be justified, there should be commonality with the A330MRRT's, if they ever arrive. Indeed having a fleet of these aircraft keeps jobs in the UK, in the RAF, etc. I can't think of a more appropriate way to arrive in a country than on a G reg RAF aircraft, if it's slate grey, all the better, much of which was built in the UK.
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Quote: "Cameron and the posh boys aren't just anti the British airline industry, they are anti aviation in general. Just look at what they've done to the RAF and to our aircraft carriers - but at least we can borrow a French one if we ask nicely. Thank goodness the runway extension at Southend was approved by Denham just before the general election; I don't think the coalition would have let that through - noisy, greenhouse gas emitting aeroplanes flying over Tory voters in Westcliff....
Surely Cameron is slowly learning that aviation is one of Britain's few success stories. Surely he'll at least freeze APD in future. Surely he'll fly British aircraft in future. Surely he'll approve a third runway at LHR. Surely he'll start making some sensible decisions that aren't just designed to support wealth and privilege. Surely he will......!"
.....and surely pigs will fly! Look out of the window right now, there's a whole flock of them going past.
Surely Cameron is slowly learning that aviation is one of Britain's few success stories. Surely he'll at least freeze APD in future. Surely he'll fly British aircraft in future. Surely he'll approve a third runway at LHR. Surely he'll start making some sensible decisions that aren't just designed to support wealth and privilege. Surely he will......!"
.....and surely pigs will fly! Look out of the window right now, there's a whole flock of them going past.
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Most countries with Government aircraft use them for a multitude of other purposes too. But most also have an Air Force with sufficient personnel to manage their use.
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The problem here is that the UK as a sovereignty is a global player politically for obvious reasons.
Unlike the US we don't have the economy to back that political power up. Yes the PM and senior cabinet ministers need to make many many trips abroad every year to keep Britain in the loop as a key political force but justifying purchasing and maintaining aircraft for the job may not be economically viable - I'm just guessing!
However, I do like the commonality idea with the A330 etc...
Unlike the US we don't have the economy to back that political power up. Yes the PM and senior cabinet ministers need to make many many trips abroad every year to keep Britain in the loop as a key political force but justifying purchasing and maintaining aircraft for the job may not be economically viable - I'm just guessing!
However, I do like the commonality idea with the A330 etc...