New jets for official travel won't have a private cabin for the PM
CBC
Prime ministerial travel is going to become slightly less exclusive after two new jets join the Royal Canadian Air Force transport fleet this summer.
Last year, the Air Force bought two used Airbus A-330s from Kuwait Airways.
The widebody jets will replace the RCAF's 1980s-era Airbus A-310s, which are used for the prime minister's trips abroad and for transporting military personnel.
The A-310s are becoming more difficult to maintain as they get older; the original Airbus A-310 fleet was purchased by the Mulroney government in the early 1990s.
The A-330s are larger than the A-310s and have a much longer range.
To get the planes into service as soon as possible, the federal government says it is keeping the aircraft's seating the way the Kuwaitis ordered it "for an interim period"— which leaves no room for the prime minister's private cabin.
When CBC News asked about the aircraft's interior, the Department of National Defence (DND) cited a post on the department's LinkedIn account:
"These first two aircraft, originally manufactured in 2015, will retain their commercial cabin configuration for an interim period to perform cargo, troop and passenger airlift operations."
The new A-330 for official travel will include some features not available on the A-310.
It will have an accessible washroom — welcome news for those with mobility issues and passengers who have to change into business attire or protective gear before landing. Journalists who travel with the prime minister will be relieved to find individual power outlets and USB connections at their seats for the first time ever.
The Airbus A-330 has been used in this country by Air Canada and Air Transat since 1999. The aircraft's interior will look very familiar to Canadians who fly business class.
Kuwait Airways operated the jets with 17 first class, 30 business class and 165 economy seats. Canadian airlines use a much denser seating arrangement.
Earlier this month, DND officials confirmed that one of the first two aircraft to arrive would receive the same red, white and blue paint scheme used for the prime minister's current ride — an Airbus A-310 known as Airbus 01.
Airbus 01 was built originally for Wardair; after a merger with Canadian Airlines, it was declared surplus and sold.