Ron Mark MP

Spokesperson for Defence
25 OCTOBER 2016

Air Force Boeing 757 Townsville Landing Raises Questions

New Zealand First questions the wisdom and cost benefit to the New Zealand Defence Force of it providing the Prime Minister’s private jet.

“If the Prime Minister wants ‘PM 1’ then his own department should fund the $140 million it will cost for something like an Airbus A320 instead of the New Zealand Defence Force,” says Ron Mark, New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Defence Spokesperson.

“Alternatively, we have an award winning state airline that can do that job by charter or by buying a seat like the rest of us. Let’s face it, buying a seat is what the Prime Minister does when he goes on holiday.

“The Prime Minister’s unexpected Townsville stopover also demonstrates the problem of commercial jets that fly too few hours in military service.

“Between January 2013 and September 2015, our 23-year-old Boeing 757’s flew only about 571 flight hours each year. That’s only about a fifth of what a 757 flies in commercial service.

“It sounds counter intuitive, but aircraft are much easier to maintain if they’re kept flying than sitting on the tarmac.

“The 2016 Defence White paper states the Boeing 757’s will be replaced but we have to ask, why. We’d rather see the money for replacements put towards dedicated military transport aircraft to succeed our aged Hercules,” Mr Mark said.

ENDS

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