Boeing Co. received a lifeline for its sales-challenged 747 jumbo jet when United Parcel Service Inc. agreed to buy at least 14 freighter versions. The company has warned that the program could be at risk and halved production this year, to six annually.
One bright place for the 747 -8, the newest and largest version, is the U.S. Air force, which preferred it to transport Americas commander-in-chief. The president currently travels aboard two heavily modified Boeing 747 -2 00 aircraft, which are military airplanes with the designation VC-2 5. However, when the president steps aboard, the call sign changes to Air force One.
While the Pentagon plans to replace those planes with two of the newer version in 2024, what many may not know is that the U.S. is hardly the only country to construct the famous plane transportation of option for its head of state.
Here are seven other countries with their own version of Us air force One.
Brunei
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the worlds wealthiest people and passionate about both cars and airplanes. Among the royal fleet, the sultan has a 747 -4 00 and often flies it himself, a fact noted by President Barack Obama during a 2013 nation visit.
China
China's president typically travels abroad on a Boeing 747 -4 00, one that has been converted from commercial use. Most of the 747 s are flown by Air China. In 2002, that country reportedly determined more than two dozen listening devices aboard a government-owned 767 that had been sent to a renovation center in San Antonio, Tex. The plane had been planned as a presidential transport but was converted to commercial use.
India
When they travel abroad, Indias prime minister and president fly an Air India 747 -4 00 operated by the Indian Air Force. When either is aboard, the call sign is Air India One. The government plans to replace the 747 for transporting the heads of state and government with two Boeing 777 -3 00 ERs, acquired from Air India, dedicated full-time to VIP transport.
