Mexico’s newly inaugurated President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is to set to make some sweeping changes. His first order of business is to sell the presidential jet used by his predecessor.
According to Bloomberg, Lopez Obrador’s decision to sell the plane, which he deemed “too lavish,” is the fulfillment of a campaign promise.
The plane in question is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that was acquired by the Mexican government in March 2016 and used by President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Reuters reports that López Obrador told a rally in Xalapa, Veracruz, on Saturday near the end of his first full day as president, “We are selling all the planes and helicopters that the corrupt politicians used,” as the crowd roared its approval.
The $218 million presidential jet will be sold off along with 60 government planes and 70 helicopters, Reuters reported.
According to AirFleets.net, the Mexican jet was the sixth Boeing Dreamliner ever produced and made its first flight on October 4, 2010. The aircraft was part of an early batch of Boeing 787s that rolled off the line while the company worked through production issues.
The plane sat for half a decade before the Mexican Air Force decided to convert the airliner for use as a presidential transport.
Mexican Finance Minister Carlos Urzúa allowed journalists and photographers to tour the interior of the plane on Saturday.
Here’s a closer look at the Mexican president’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner private jet.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was the first in a new generation of ultra-fuel-efficient wide-body airliners.
The 787-8 is the smallest of the three Dreamliner variants and carries a list price of $239 million.
It’s powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B turbofan engines and has a range of nearly 8,500 miles.
You won’t find traditional airline seats here. Instead, the interior has been designed for work and relaxation.
Here’s the large TV at the center of the cabin.
Rich wood veneer abounds.
Here is a look at a restroom on the plane complete with stone countertops.
The aircraft will be sold off along with 60 government planes and 70 helicopters.
Source: Business Insider
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