The United States has its impressive Air Force One, a remarkable plane equipped with midair refueling capabilities and serving as a command center for the president. On the other hand, New Zealand has its own unique aircraft called “Betty,” a Boeing 757 that has seen better days. Recently, officials admitted that Betty is so prone to breakdowns that they had sent an empty backup plane to ensure Prime Minister Chris Hipkins wouldn’t get stranded during his trade delegation in China.
To clarify the situation, Acting PM Carmel Sepuloni explained that they had sent the twin plane of Betty only as far as Manila, which is about 80% of the distance from Wellington to Beijing. Sepuloni emphasized the importance of having a backup plan, stating that the potential costs and inconvenience of a stranded delegation in China outweigh the expenses of having a backup aircraft waiting just in case.
It is worth noting that the twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes used for transporting the prime minister are almost 30 years old and are scheduled to be replaced by 2030. These aircraft have frequently experienced breakdowns over the years. In fact, in 2016, former Prime Minister John Key and his delegation were stuck in Australia on their way to India until a backup plane was sent from New Zealand. This unfortunate incident resulted in the cancellation of the Mumbai leg of Key’s trip, which he described as “suboptimal.”
Regarding the safety of Betty, Sepuloni reassured that there have been no midair or transit events that should cause concern for Prime Minister Hipkins and the 80 people traveling with him. However, opponents in the political arena were quick to seize this situation. David Seymour, leader of the opposition ACT party, criticized the government for declaring a climate emergency and claiming to deal with China seriously while failing to ensure a reliable aircraft for their prime minister’s delegation. Sepuloni acknowledged the need for updating their equipment and confirmed that plans are in place for that purpose, although the implementation is not happening at the moment.
In conclusion, the reliance on an aging aircraft like Betty has brought attention to the need for modernizing New Zealand’s transportation for their prime minister. While the presence of a backup plane demonstrates a proactive approach to potential issues, it is evident that there is room for improvement in ensuring a reliable and efficient mode of travel for official delegations.
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