Corendon and TUI offer to operate Dutch government jet, say plan could save €100 million
Airlines Corendon and TUI have offered to operate the Dutch government’s current Boeing PH-GOV aircraft instead of replacing it, saying the plan could save taxpayers 100 million euros, De Telegraaf reports.
The Jetten I Cabinet wants to purchase a new government aircraft costing at least 100 million U.S. dollars. The plan is linked to KLM’s shift from Boeing to Airbus aircraft. Officials say this shift affects KLM’s ability to continue operating the current government aircraft used for state and royal transport.
Corendon founder Atilay Uslu said the aircraft does not need to be replaced. He said his company could take over both operations and maintenance of the plane.
He said, "We operate Boeing 737 aircraft, and we could handle the operation and maintenance of the government aircraft. That would save the cabinet and Dutch taxpayers a significant amount of money.”
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, KLM is currently the only operator in the Dutch market that meets all safety requirements for transporting members of the cabinet and the Royal House.
Uslu rejected the government’s position. He said, "It is nonsense to say that KLM is the only company in the Netherlands able to operate government flights.” Uslu added that the Boeing PH-GOV could remain in service for another 20 years.
