777 or A330 to replace Government 737BBJ?

[Isochronous]

No Cookies | thetelegraph.com.au

THE Abbott Government will seek a truce with media outlets and taxpayers so it can buy or lease larger VIP jets to fly politicians, officials and journalists overseas on the same aircraft.The bigger RAAF planes would also be fitted with the latest in global communications systems ensuring the Prime Minister is never out of touch with his cabinet colleagues and key officials.
At present the nation's leader is incommunicado whenever he travels on a VIP jet.
The $600 million lease on the current RAAF fleet of two Boeing 737 business jets and three smaller Challenger 604 aircraft will expire next year and the government will seek agreement from media companies to limit criticism of any decision to opt for bigger planes.
Any negative publicity would be limited to plush add ons such as gold taps or marble sinks.
The Boeing 737 BBJ aircraft are operated by 34 Squadron at Fairbairn in Canberra and are used by the Prime Minister and the Governor-General for official overseas trips, but they are too small to carry a full complement of press gallery journalists and crews.

 

[Major]

These 2 BBJ's are modified 737-700 aircraft and only carry 30 pax in the VIP configeration. I can understand the need to increase passenger numbers

737 Boeing Business Jet - Royal Australian Air Force

 

[DC3]

Even a couple of "cheap" 747s, refurbished, to add to the fleet?

 

[UP4014]

Even a couple of "cheap" 747s, refurbished, to add to the fleet?

A couple of 747s would be smart. The increased cost would not be that great over say a 777 which would also be a good choice.

Matt

 

[Must...Fly!]

Surely the fuel burn of a 747 would be significant cost burden.

767s don't cost that much these days...

 

[777]

Fuel burden is mainly an issue on regular passenger services.

Personally, my money is on an a330 given the RAAF is operating them already.

 

[UP4014]

Surely the fuel burn of a 747 would be significant cost burden.

767s don't cost that much these days...

They're not a high use aircraft like a commercial airline would use one.

The incremental cost is there but not a showstopper and a larger plane would give other benefits.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Fuel burden is mainly an issue on regular passenger services.

Personally, my money is on an a330 given the RAAF is operating them already.

Yes good call and available spares around the world.

My gov source says the present arrangement is a joke in terms of payload and range. We need to get past the politics of these matters and equip people correctly to do their jobs.

 

[docjames]

The A330 would be the right size, already has ADF expertise / commonality and has the appropriate range for the majority of SE Asia and in fact much of the world (in the "luxury" config may have the legs to west coast US, and also the EU with single stop). So it seems the logical choice.

So they'll probably get the 777.

 

[markis10]

Yes good call and available spares around the world.

My gov source says the present arrangement is a joke in terms of payload and range. We need to get past the politics of these matters and equip people correctly to do their jobs.

I would suggest your government source knows little about BBJs, no issues with range or payload so long as you leave the peanut gallery at home, which is why most governments use them extensively, there are very few twin aisle jets in similar service, and an A330 would have had the same issues the BBJ had re Mandellas funeral. For the times a larget jet is needed I see no issues with grabbing an MRTT, or heaven forbid chartering a commercial flight.

A BBJ has longer legs than an A333 FWIW.

 

[elbarto]

For the times a larget jet is needed I see no issues with grabbing an MRTT, or heaven forbid chartering a commercial flight.

Yes the British charter BA or VS aircraft for their longer junkets. I see no reason why our government couldn't do the same. I personally see the use of an A330 or 777 on those hops to MEL or SYD from CBR to be a bit of a waste.

 

[NSWP]

Aaah, Tony is a grand fella, give the boy an A380, fitted out with showers, golden taps and marble bathrooms.

I have often wondered how the Australian PM gets around in those Boeing 737's, which are only short haul aircraft, must stop and refuel often.

 

[maninblack]

It will almost certainly be A330's. But please media criticise Abbott all you like. Perhaps Abbott will be consulting his new GG on the matter after all he is an aviation expert isn't he?

 

[Fruitcake]

I have often wondered how the Australian PM gets around in those Boeing 737's, which are only short haul aircraft, must stop and refuel often.

BBJs might be 737s (to some extent) but they are not short haul aircraft. They can comfortably operate from southeast Australia to Japan or Hawaii non-stop. Potential endurance is close to 14 hours - albeit at slower speeds than the bigger widebodies tend to achieve.

 

[DC3]

It will almost certainly be A330's. But please media criticise Abbott all you like. Perhaps Abbott will be consulting his new GG on the matter after all he is an aviation expert isn't he?

Peter Cosgrove. An aviation expert?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Peter Cosgrove. An aviation expert?

Well he is on the qf board. I'm sure he can convince the gov that it makes more sense to buy an old qf 747 and refurb it :O

 

[DC3]

Buy an old 747 off of QF. That would be interesting.

I don't believe that his area of expertise was ever in aviation though. People are appointed to boards for all sorts of reasons.

Edit: Just looked it up. He's a member of the QF Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee and a director of Qantas Superannuation Limited.

 

[maninblack]

People are appointed to boards for all sorts of reasons.

You can say that again!

 

[eric2011]

What can land at CBR

 

[SteveJohnson]

Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM?

"Airbus and Boeing could soon be slugging it out over a new fleet of VIP jets for the Australian government."

Airbus A330, Boeing 777 as next VIP jet for Australian PM? - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

The current 737BBJs sound pretty out-dated according to this article!