DUBAI: The world’s most powerful leaders are no strangers to the high life, jetting around the world in highly specialized aircraft. Some have just one, while others are in command of an entire fleet.
UK-based company Air Charter Service, which specializes in government charters for heads of state, cargo charters for humanitarian relief and private jet charters for leisure, recently released a list of the impressive aircraft used by some of the world’s most influential leaders.
Scroll through the gallery above for an in-depth look at these customized airplanes.
Donald Trump’s $1 000 000 000 Air Force One
The US president relies primarily on two identical customized aircraft. The aircraft are heavily modified Boeing 747-200B models and are referred to within the government by their military designation, VC-25A. If an airport is unable to accommodate the VC-25A, a more compact Boeing C-32 is used.
The Emir of Qatar and his $1 500 000 000 fleet
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the owner of a spectacular air fleet used by numerous members of his royal family.
On official trips of the leader is accompanied by an entourage of some 1,000 people including family members, members of the delegation and service staff. The cargo is known have included limousines to be used by leader in the destination country.
This is why most of his trips are completed by multiple airplanes. Qatar’s delegation once arrived to negotiations with the prime minister of Japan using 10 aircraft, and to Switzerland using eight aircraft.
King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his $250 000 000 VIP Boeing 767-400FSER
The official aircraft of the king of Bahrain is a state airline of Bahrain Royal Flight, founded in 1981. At the moment, its air fleet consists of six aircraft: a Boeing Business Jet BBJ2, two Boeing 747-400s, a Boeing 767-400ER, a Gulfstream G-IV and a Bell 430.
Vladimir Putin’s $500 000 000 aircraft
Vladimir Putin’s flagship aircraft is the Russian-made IL-96-300PU. The government installed an advanced communication system on board that allows the aircraft to act as a management center capable of carrying out the prompt commandment of troops in case of unexpected conflict.
Angela Merkel’s $300 000 000 Konrad Adenauer
German Chancellor Angela Merkel travels in an Airbus A340-313X VIP referred to as the Konrad Adenauer after the first postwar Chancellor of Germany. Merkel has several other planes at her disposal, all managed by the German armed forces.
Elizabeth II and her $100 000 000 No. 32nd Squadron
The queen relies upon the 32nd squadron of the United Kingdom for transportation. These include two AW109 helicopters for traveling distances under 1,000 kilometers, six BAE-125 airplanes with a flight range up to 3000 kilometers, as well as four mid-sized reactive BAE-146 airplanes. Queen Elizabeth II also has a personal helicopter, Sikorsky S-76 Spirit, as part of the Royal Household. Currently, the Queen and her family members can be transported for important events by the airplanes and helicopters of the Royal Air Force.
Theresa May and her $250 000 000 Airbus A330
Recently, the 32nd squadron of United Kingdom acquired its own Airbus A330 for 250 million dollars. The main purpose of the new airliner is to carry the British prime minister on official government trips. According to the press, the refitting of the British prime minister’s airplane cost a modest $20 million.
