By Youssef Yahya 
On Thursday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that Tajikistan had purchased the presidential jet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Since taking office, López Obrador has tried to sell the presidential jet, registration XC-MEC or TP-01, which he has called a “pharaonic and indecent aircraft.” Former President Felipe Calderón bought the widebody jet for the Mexican Government for $218 million in 2012.
Details of the Transaction
The new owner paid around $92 million (1.659 billion Mexican pesos) for the jet, half of the original purchase price. López Obrador initially hoped to sell the aircraft for at least $150 million. Enrique Peña Nieto, president from 2012 to 2018, used the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for 214 flights, totaling about 600,000 kilometers.
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Investing in Public Health
The Mexican government plans to use the funds from the sale to build two hospitals in Tlapa and Tuxtepec, two of the country’s poorest municipalities. López Obrador expressed relief at finally selling the jet, stating, “We got rid of this pending because it was tough for us to find a client.”
Previous Attempts to Sell the Jet
López Obrador has always viewed the presidential jet as an unnecessary expense. He promised to sell the plane while campaigning for office and has since made various attempts to do so. The jet spent most of the past few years in Mexico City and Victorville, California. The president even offered it to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and held a symbolic raffle in Mexico.
The Jet’s Unique Features
The presidential jet boasts a VIP interior with marble touches. It can carry 80 passengers and includes a presidential suite with a private bath. Reconfiguring the 787 into a typical passenger jet, which can carry up to 300 passengers, would be very costly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sale of the Mexican presidential jet highlights President López Obrador’s commitment to reducing government excess and using the funds for important social initiatives, such as building hospitals. The history of the jet, from its purchase to its sale to Tajikistan, shows the complexities of managing luxurious state assets. As the Mexican government invests the proceeds in social projects, the sale of the presidential jet serves as a reminder of the need for responsible government spending and prioritizing citizens’ needs.
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators. He also serves as the Chief-in-Editor of the platform’s website, where he shares his passion for aviation and provides valuable resources for aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike. His love for aviation and entrepreneurial spirit drive him to create innovative solutions, making Aviation for Aviators a unique resource in the aviation sector.
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Mohammed Rizwan