The president’s new plane, whose delivery has been delayed at least twice, will arrive in Mexico December 18, ready for service.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will replace a 1980s vintage Boeing 757. One of its significant advantages will be the ability to make transatlantic flights without stopping for fuel.
Although the Secretariat of Defense advised that the plane’s cost would be US $125.45 million, the Finance Secretariat offers rather higher figures that include an annual lease payment — payable until 2027 — and operating and maintenance costs.
Payments began in 2012. By 2017 the aircraft’s total cost will have reached $6.769 billion, with yearly payments running at just over $500 million during most of that time.
The Secretariat of Defense said in response to a freedom-of-information request by Milenio that the plane’s interior is currently being fitted and that work is 80% completed.
The plane was to have been ready in June 2014 but delivery was postponed until last month, then rescheduled for December.
It will have capacity to carry 250 passengers, and feature a private suite for the president.
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