New BBJ arrives!

Inkwanzi, or fish eagle, President Thabo Mbeki's controversial jet, landed at Waterkloof airbase minutes shortly after 00:00 on Tuesday, air force spokesperson Francois Coetzee said.

The intercontinental Boeing Business Jet was flown on a non-stop delivery flight some 9 500km from Basel, Switzerland on Monday after debate has raged for months over the R700 million extravagance.

The defence department has not reached an agreement over how the jet is to be introduced, if at all. There is concern that a public launching event might be seen as ostentatious and some feel the intercontinental Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) should just quietly assume its VIP role.

Based on the Boeing 737-800 passenger airliner, the BBJ can fly a distance of 11 500 km at 870 km/h without stopping for fuel.

Right to the bitter end the Democratic Alliance (DA) has been objecting against the purchase. Nick Clelland-Stokes of the DA, in a statement, titled, The ego has landed, said the luxury purchase is an indication of Mbeki's extravagance in contrast to the hard reality many South Africans have to face.

Clelland-Stokes maintained the Australian premier's aircraft was considerably more modest, while president Festus Mogae of Botswana flew economic class on regular airlines since Aids relief enojoyed higher priority in his country's budget. Various leaders used their countries' official airlines on official visits, and for African visits, Mbeki could use his "old" Falcon 900 jetliner. Clelland-Stokes added that flight hour expenses for the Inkwanzi had shot up by 86% over the past two years.

It has taken about a year to redecorate Mbeki's jet with a huge bed, a conference room and a lounge. Australian premier Johan Howard used an ordinary aircraft seat. British premier Tony Blair flew British Airways on long-distance flights. The New Zealand premier flew Air New Zealand and both the Greek premier and president flew Olympic Airways.

"President Mbeki should have done the same and fly South African Airways for trans-continental trips," Clelland-Stokes said. "The existing Falcon 900 is more than adequate for shorter flights."

'Gap between elite and ordinary'

"The sheer vulgarity of the new presidential jet and the extravagance it represents is disconcerting. South Africa needs job opportunities, housing and an extensive Aids programme. The jet illustrates the widening gap between the ANC elite and ordinary South Africans."

The air force will manage the jetliner as part of its VIP fleet. An earlier air force statement had said the BBJ was the only jet to meet presidential requirements. The jet can cover routes between Los Angeles to London; New York to Buenos Aires or London to South Africa with ease. In addition it has 25% more space on board than previous BBJ models. It can carry 20 passengers or an entire presidential party.

The Inkwanzi is white with light and dark blue stripes - the official air force colours - with the official emblem on the tail.

Defence ministry spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi said the Boeing, registered as ZS-RSA, will be operated by air force aircrew supported by air force ground technical staff. These crews have been trained at Boeing and will familiarise themselves with ZS-RSA for a month before the plane is put into service, Mkhwanazi said.

News24