The only justification I can possibly think of is that 10 Downing Street enquired about the charter of BA, but also let them know that the PM, while over there, was going to make a speech re-emphasising that notwithstanding all the recent statements about the multiple impacts on the UK economy the lack of capacity that Heathrow has, he was going to restate no third runway - taking advantage of being 6,000 miles away.

Furthermore he was going to go to Indonesia and the Airbus order signing, and announce that he was going to support Garuda getting slots to operate into London, but was going to say nothing about BA maybe starting to serve Indonesia in return.

And BA then told them to get stuffed .......

WHBM - do BA WANT to serve Indonesia?

they used to years ago but pulled out

these days they pretty much only serve Sydney & Melbourne in that neck of the woods

they'd rather add flights to JFK

BA have just announced that will- fly Heathrow to Seoul using 777 from December 2012-bookable now.

Denti is right...It's not a matter of Cameron or whoever wanting their own jet..It would stop threads like this if the UK PM was transported like the US president.

Who cares what the press writes, I am sure politicians have thick enough skins to ride that.

As for the cost - How much does it cost for the PM and his entourage to hire a plane for a week, several times in his term.

Naming the plane would be more difficult, as the Queen is head of state.

I am sure a suitable name could be found..

I believe the two Sonair planes are owned by Sonair.

They are operated by Atlas Air, with both cockpit and cabin crew made up of Atlas personnel. Atlas is based in New York.

They fly freight (dedicated freighters) and passengers (dedicated passenger planes). They operate 747-400s, LCFs, 767-300ERs, 767-200Fs and, this month, are scheduled to take delivery of their first 747-8F.

They fly for DHL, Panalpina, Emirates, Qantas, Etihad, the US Military, themselves, and various other customers. They will start hiring pilots (cabin crew are being hired currently) again this year...you need to be a US citizen or have a green card to get hired.

They also own 49% of GSS, and they own the GSS airframes, and they lease airframes to other customers.

cliff
HKG

A couple of A320s / A319s is all that's needed. This is what works for many democracies across the world, a B747 is too much really.

Well I reckon with an A320, a lot of configuring would have to be done...I have flown these aircraft with both Monarch and Easy, and they are the most uncomfortable planes ever.

To small for this job IMO..If you think a 747 is over egging the pudding - maybe a home grown A330 may fit the bill.

Whatever a/c is used - The UK PM needs an identifiable plane, rather than whatever charter he can catch.

I meant a VIP configured aircraft with an office and suite for the PM and the Queen as required. Ideally flown by the RAF who already are bringing the A330 into service.
Something between the madness of Algeria's A340-500 and the cringe worthiness of Atlas Air, a well known cargo outfit, flying our leader around the world.

"OUR LEADER"???????????

last I heard he was MP for Witney who just happens to "be able to command a majority in the House of Commons"

The days when the ignorant were impressed by Big White Chief arriving in a BIG aeroplane have longgggg gone

I think there will be a number here wondering how you came to this conclusion about this airframe type.

It's a bit like saying a Citroen (say) is an unsafe car because you mother-in-law has one and drove it into the garage doors ......

No: The analogy does not hold good...What I meant was the A320 is to small for transporting a world leader and his entourage, gaggle of press et al.

The fast that I find them uncomfortable is purely coincidental..But they are.
I agreeL If we are going to have a private jet for our leader(s) - It has to be a 747 or an rather and A330, flown by the RAF.

Heathrow Harry.
Like Cameron or maybe Boris in the future, or not! we can't have a UK leader turning ip at JFk or wherever in an old 757.

OK so he won't have his own jet to fly with, so whose frame will 'he' use on his next long haul flight? Any suggestions?

My suggestion is one of the several A345 in corporate configs out there. But alas, I'm not certain the electorate would be too happy about such a purchase, as nice as it might be.

I think the Germans use the A310, the French the A319 / A320 as do the Italians. A 500 seater seems rather grand for the world we live in.
The Japanses have two B747s a bit like the US. Even New Zealand have the B757 and they don't even have fighters any more.

An immaculate RAF A320 would be the right signal for Britain as much of it is British made and we're not showing like some tinpot with their own fleet of A340s and B744s.

That's a fair argument..My preference would be one up..Whatever the aircraft it IMO has to be a RAF plane..

I think we all agree that out PM deserves better than a chartered Angolan aircraft..

BTW - The A320 is fine for up to. and flying over the pond, but what about further afield?.

I mean would it be BA or Virgin, or an aircraft chartered from?????

So tell me something. Who pays for the media and all the entourage to travel with the PM on these longhaul flights? Is it really necessary to have a widebody to transport him around? Whats wrong with a 'G' registered Gulfstream V? Perhaps it's to show him off walking down all those steps at the destination.

If airmiles andy can freeload at the taxpayers expense in a CRJ around India, then surely our PM can use a smaller aircraft in these austere times.

Does it matter?..the aircraft are chartered, not scheduled.