After five years in storage, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner formerly owned by Mexico's government has got a new owner in the face of the Tajik government. On April 28, the Nomadic Aviation Group flew the aircraft to the US to begin its transition to Tajikistan. The aircraft landed at Dushanbe International Airport on May 15, at 7:36 am. The Tajik authorities have yet to comment on the purchase and operation of this aircraft.
It is rare that a presidential aircraft comes on the market for sale. However, for nearly two years, Mexico has been trying to offload its highly premium Boeing 787 Dreamliner designed for VIP transport
Simple Flying show the aircraft’s luxury interior, which is configured to support governmental operations. Onboard the aircraft are a few upright seating areas with conference tables where people like political advisors, invited guests, or governmental officials can congregate and get some work done while inflight.
Also, there are rows of upright seating onboard. People like invited guests or reporters might occupy this cabin on a flight.
Separate from these seating and meeting areas are more private places for the President to enjoy a flight – especially if it is a long-haul jaunt. There is a bed onboard for an overnight flight that is much bigger than a traditional lie-flat business class seat.
In addition, before landing and heading to meet with international dignitaries or coming back home to discuss a trip abroad, there is a full-size bathroom with a shower where the President can freshen up and get ready for whatever they have on the ground. While some passenger airlines, like Emirates, offer showers onboard, those bathrooms are not nearly as big as the one onboard this flight.
Lastly, there is also room for the executive to have space for themselves. A private office is necessary when the President needs to get some work done, according to Simple Flying.
Recall, Simple Flying reported last month that Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on April 20 announced the sale of the presidential jet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, to the government of Tajikistan for 92 million US dollars, half the total for which it was initially bought. Former president Felipe Calderón reportedly acquired the aircraft for 218 million US dollars in 2012. In the past, he had hoped to sell the aircraft for at least 150 million US dollars.
Only one Mexican president ever used the presidential Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Enrique Peña Nieto, who was in office between 2012 and 2018, reportedly employed the aircraft on 214 flights, totaling about 600,000 kilometers.
Since the beginning of his term, Mr. López Obrador reportedly tried to sell the presidential jet, registration XC-MEC or TP-01. Bought by his predecessors, this wide-body VIP jet was described by the president as a “pharaonic and indecent aircraft.”
With the money received, the Mexican government has promised to build two hospitals in Tlapa and Tuxtepec, two of the poorest municipalities in the country.
