Tinubu Forced To Take Jet Charter Flight To Saudi Arabia After Presidential Jet Develops Fault In Netherlands
President Bola Tinubu had to make an unexpected journey to Saudi Arabia using a charter flight due to issues with his private jets. His main jet was undergoing repairs, and a second one developed a problem while he was in the Netherlands. As a result, he and his delegation opted for a charter flight to attend the World Economic Forum in Riyadh.
The Nigerian President, along with some aides, departed from Rotterdam on a Falcon 8X private jet, while other officials traveled separately. The Gulfstream G550 jet used for the trip was originally designated for Vice-President Kashim Shettima but was utilized by the President due to maintenance issues with his usual Boeing 737 jet.
The Boeing 737 jet had been undergoing maintenance in EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, jointly controlled by France, Germany, and Switzerland, since March 25. Meanwhile, the Gulfstream jet was repaired and dispatched to Saudi Arabia, where it awaited the President’s return to Nigeria after his official engagements.
It’s worth noting that the Nigerian Air Force 1, a Boeing Business Jet, has been parked in Germany since March 25, incurring parking fees of €165,000 for 33 days. Another jet, a Falcon 7X, is in France, though the reason for its presence there remains unknown.
In the past year, President Tinubu has made several trips to France for medical treatment.
Sahara Reporters
