Blair forced to fly BA to MAD
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Blair forced to fly BA to MAD
Watching our PM attending the enthronement of Dr Rowan Williams at Canterbury Catherdral yesterday, I was wondering how he was going to fly to Madrid later that day to meet the Spanish PM. Would he be flying out of on the 146? The following seems to indicate that he would have gone from Manston (?) - but things didn't go to plan....
Blair forced to fly BA
By Patrick Hennessy, Evening Standard
Tony Blair was involved in a chaotic scramble to arrive at today's pre-war summit with his Spanish counterpart.
At one point the Prime Minister was in danger of missing the entire first day's programme of the two-day event after an engine failed on the RAF aircraft which was meant to fly him to Madrid.
In the end an embarrassed Mr Blair and his senior aides managed to squeeze on to the last scheduled British Airways flight from Heathrow to the Spanish capital. He eventually met Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a key supporter of his tough stance on Iraq, more than two hours late.
The drama began when an engine failed on an air force plane heading from RAF Northolt to a base in Kent where it was to pick up the Prime Minister after his meeting with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, yesterday afternoon.
The plane, which had Downing Street's communications director Alastair Campbell and Mr Blair's top political aide Baroness Morgan on board, could not land in Kent for safety reasons. It turned back to Northolt, where it eventually landed alongside four fire engines with ambulances on stand-by.
Mr Blair, meanwhile, headed for Heathrow by helicopter in a frantic effort to get on BA's 7pm flight to Madrid. Fortunately for Downing Street, there were enough seats left on the flight for the party to squeeze on board - although some other passengers had to be moved.
A harassed looking Mr Blair sat in the front row with Mr Campbell, while official spokesman Godric Smith was about four rows back with other key No10 staff forced to make do with economy seats.
The drama was the worst possible start to a summit which was designed to see Mr Blair and Mr Aznar deliver a joint warning to Saddam that he must disarm or face war within three weeks.
Mr Aznar is a vital ally because Spain has one of the 15 votes on the UN security council, the body which will debate the key second resolution which could pave the way for military action.
At the moment, Spain is the only country certain to back the tough stance taken by the UK and the US.
Blair forced to fly BA
By Patrick Hennessy, Evening Standard
Tony Blair was involved in a chaotic scramble to arrive at today's pre-war summit with his Spanish counterpart.
At one point the Prime Minister was in danger of missing the entire first day's programme of the two-day event after an engine failed on the RAF aircraft which was meant to fly him to Madrid.
In the end an embarrassed Mr Blair and his senior aides managed to squeeze on to the last scheduled British Airways flight from Heathrow to the Spanish capital. He eventually met Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a key supporter of his tough stance on Iraq, more than two hours late.
The drama began when an engine failed on an air force plane heading from RAF Northolt to a base in Kent where it was to pick up the Prime Minister after his meeting with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, yesterday afternoon.
The plane, which had Downing Street's communications director Alastair Campbell and Mr Blair's top political aide Baroness Morgan on board, could not land in Kent for safety reasons. It turned back to Northolt, where it eventually landed alongside four fire engines with ambulances on stand-by.
Mr Blair, meanwhile, headed for Heathrow by helicopter in a frantic effort to get on BA's 7pm flight to Madrid. Fortunately for Downing Street, there were enough seats left on the flight for the party to squeeze on board - although some other passengers had to be moved.
A harassed looking Mr Blair sat in the front row with Mr Campbell, while official spokesman Godric Smith was about four rows back with other key No10 staff forced to make do with economy seats.
The drama was the worst possible start to a summit which was designed to see Mr Blair and Mr Aznar deliver a joint warning to Saddam that he must disarm or face war within three weeks.
Mr Aznar is a vital ally because Spain has one of the 15 votes on the UN security council, the body which will debate the key second resolution which could pave the way for military action.
At the moment, Spain is the only country certain to back the tough stance taken by the UK and the US.
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Funnily enough was driving past Northolt as the plane landed, only counted 2 fire engines though. Thought to myself it'd be interested if HM was aboard. I wonder (apart from overshooting a runway) if they've declared an emergency with an HRH aboard....
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Interesting thread.
The Irish Government [who own a G4 which breaks down rather too often] are planning the acquisition of two new jets, one of which may be an A319CJ or a BBJ - not being upfront so rumour mill going berzerk.
Some of us taxpayers reckon some of these flights would be better if they were on commercial transport, not to mind that it would be supporting hard pressed companies like Aer Lingus and growing businesses like Aer Arann.
Ironic that the usual argument by the pols is that they would miss meetings if they flew commercial - seems like the other way round to me!
discussion on the Irish purchase on the Irish BB here:
http://www.irishaviation.net/forums/...ML/001312.html
The Irish Government [who own a G4 which breaks down rather too often] are planning the acquisition of two new jets, one of which may be an A319CJ or a BBJ - not being upfront so rumour mill going berzerk.
Some of us taxpayers reckon some of these flights would be better if they were on commercial transport, not to mind that it would be supporting hard pressed companies like Aer Lingus and growing businesses like Aer Arann.
Ironic that the usual argument by the pols is that they would miss meetings if they flew commercial - seems like the other way round to me!
discussion on the Irish purchase on the Irish BB here:
http://www.irishaviation.net/forums/...ML/001312.html
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Apparantly the Irish Gov are buying a BBJ.
The minister for finance is a bit miffed over the Europeans attitude towards his budget and has decided that no European jet will ever figure as long as he holds the purse strings.
Great to see such mature consideration going into the squandering of tax-payers receipts.
The minister for finance is a bit miffed over the Europeans attitude towards his budget and has decided that no European jet will ever figure as long as he holds the purse strings.
Great to see such mature consideration going into the squandering of tax-payers receipts.
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This is a result of excessive pandering to tabloid bull****.
World's fourth-largest economy. Nuclear power. 45000 troops in or on way to Gulf. And the CEO has to get on a commercial flight.
Look at what other countries own for their top people.
Buy a decent a/c for our Prime Minister, from whatever party. Don't we still do dignity in this country?
Still, since we are, quite rightly, Top Ally in America's book at the moment, we might get a decent discount on a proper Boeing.
Blair Force One, please.
World's fourth-largest economy. Nuclear power. 45000 troops in or on way to Gulf. And the CEO has to get on a commercial flight.
Look at what other countries own for their top people.
Buy a decent a/c for our Prime Minister, from whatever party. Don't we still do dignity in this country?
Still, since we are, quite rightly, Top Ally in America's book at the moment, we might get a decent discount on a proper Boeing.
Blair Force One, please.
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Travel in style....?
Unwell_Raptor,
Blair Force One needed, you say?
Have a really nice DC6 available, mid-time motors, brand new radios, all shined up and ready to go.
'Course, it's a freighter...OTOH, with two freight doors, the interior could be fixed up real nice....and his name painted on the nose, no extra charge.
No, not as fancy or "modern" as a jet, but hey, the price is right.
Imagine, arriving in style, in a propliner. The envy of everyone....well some anyway.
Blair Force One needed, you say?
Have a really nice DC6 available, mid-time motors, brand new radios, all shined up and ready to go.
'Course, it's a freighter...OTOH, with two freight doors, the interior could be fixed up real nice....and his name painted on the nose, no extra charge.
No, not as fancy or "modern" as a jet, but hey, the price is right.
Imagine, arriving in style, in a propliner. The envy of everyone....well some anyway.
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If the King of this tiny little country (pop 600,000, 50% expats) can troll around in a shiny white Jumbo then I think it only reasonable that Tony should get one of these Concordes that BA want rid of. 
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Isn't there a certain dignity in taking a scheduled flight like anybody else? After all, with the new security measures in place at UK airports, Tony and cronies are safest on board a commercial flight.....
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Just out of interest..
1. I wonder what fare he (and his party) were charged? Or does he travel free as a CIP?
2. Would their tickets be taxed as for lesser mortals?
Not being cute, just wondering?
1. I wonder what fare he (and his party) were charged? Or does he travel free as a CIP?
2. Would their tickets be taxed as for lesser mortals?
Not being cute, just wondering?
What?Didn't have a spare aircraft available?The squadron boss had better watch his 6 o'clock.
If Tony saved some of the £1.8billion we spend on economic refugees then he could have a new aeroplane.
If Tony saved some of the £1.8billion we spend on economic refugees then he could have a new aeroplane.
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PM & the Royals
Or are they one of the same. It should not have escaped the notice of most of you that BA is always the prefered mode of transport and probably prefered to the RAF.
BA has provided years of sterling service to PM's and the Royal Familly and will continue to do so. Also there are a number of BA's Tony's cronies at the Compass centre that await BEM/OBE status so the more flights the merrier. It will soon be the Queens birthday list.
BA has provided years of sterling service to PM's and the Royal Familly and will continue to do so. Also there are a number of BA's Tony's cronies at the Compass centre that await BEM/OBE status so the more flights the merrier. It will soon be the Queens birthday list.