Picture here is that of an Arik Air Boeing 737-83N (5N-MJN) stopping off in Recife, Brazil to refuel on its way back from Venezuela to Lagos 30th September 2009. No big deal there right? This aircraft used the call sign Nigeria 001 which throws up questions as to what this aircraft with this call sign was doing in Venezuela.
This call sign in aviation lingo means the President is on board. If true, what was the president doing in Venezuela? Yes, there was a world conference on in Venezuela but there was no announcement of President Umaru Yar’Adua attending. Standard use of presidential call signs confer diplomatic clearances, extra security and other kudos of presidential status upon an aircraft as well as all its occupants.
People assume wrongly that Air Force One is the name of the US president's plane. It is not. Its called SAM 2600 but the moment the president steps on board it becomes Air Force One. Why use an Arik Air aircraft when the Presidential Fleet has many long range aircraft, the mission could have used.? The Nigerian Presidential Fleet has a mix of the Boeing Business Jet, various Gulfstreams IV's and V's, Falcon 900s which could make the transatlantic journey non stop with ease. The cost of running this fleet should be made open to public scrutiny along with who uses it and why. Why hire an Arik aircraft which must cost at least $10,000 per hour for five days? Couldn't the delegation which I gather does not include the President or Vice fly by commercial aircraft to Venezuela?
The staggering cost of using Arik's 737 is estimated to be in the region of one million dollars plus (Over N150 million) for the days of use.
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