On Monday, the Presidency revealed the new Airbus A330, recently acquired for President Bola Tinubu. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared images of the new aircraft on his verified X account.
This new addition to the presidential fleet comes as a replacement for the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) that was originally purchased during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Although Onanuga did not disclose the exact cost of the Airbus A330, he emphasized that the decision to acquire the new jet is expected to save Nigeria millions of dollars annually in maintenance and fuel expenses.
According to Onanuga, the decision to replace the older Boeing B737-700(BBJ) was driven by concerns raised in an investigative hearing conducted by Nigeria's parliament. The hearing questioned the safety and efficiency of the ageing aircraft, especially after it experienced technical difficulties during a trip to Saudi Arabia. Following the investigation, the Nigerian Senate's security and intelligence committee recommended that the aircraft be replaced to minimize operational costs and downtime.
The newly acquired Airbus A330 is reported to be equipped with modern avionics, a customized interior, and advanced communication systems, offering more space and comfort compared to its predecessor.
President Tinubu has already embarked on his first journey aboard the new aircraft, departing from Abuja on Monday afternoon for a visit to France. The Airbus A330 took off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 4:08 pm, with some of the President's key aides accompanying him on the trip. This marks Tinubu’s fourth visit to the European nation since assuming office.
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