Mexico Is Renting Out Presidential Jet for Weddings And Parties
Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has been trying to sell his jet for almost 4 years. He has attempted to sell it to corporations, business executives, and even held a symbolic raffle for it but no one wants the plane.
On Monday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he has given up on trying to sell the plane. Since no one will buy it, he is just going to rent it out for weddings and parties.
The plane was originally used by the former president, Enrique Peña Nieto, and purchased for $200 million dollars. The plane has been especially hard to sell because it was a specialized "made-to-order" jet.
The plane is configured to carry only 80 people and has a full presidential suite with a private bath, which is why it has been hard to sell. Experts say the plane would be more efficient if it was turned into a typical passenger plane that sat up to 300 people.
Here is a look inside the plane.
López Obrador called the Boeing 787 jet "too luxurious" and refuses to use it. He prides himself on his austerity, flies commercial flights, and has made only one trip abroad. President López Obrador has decided to give the plane to a military-led company located at the Mexico City Felipe Angeles Airport. There, the plane will be available to rent for in-flight parties.
López Obrador said, “The rental fees will pay for its expenses and maintenance. It will be open to the public if anyone wants it because they're getting married ... and they want to bring their friends and family ... or coming of age parties, birthdays.”
The government would still be open to offers for the plane, but after almost 3 1/2 years, that possibility seems remote.
Read More at NBC New York