DOCUMENTS

President Zuma's flight to USA cost R 6,3m - Lindiwe Sisulu

Defence minister says Boeing 727 was chartered from Fortune Air for the trip

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER 3304

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28 OCTOBER 2011

Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

(1) (a) What type of aircraft was chartered to fly President Jacob Zuma to the United States of America on 18 September 2011, (b) why was it necessary to charter an aircraft, (c) what is the name of the preferred service provider that is used by her department when hiring aircraft and (d) why is this service provider the preferred service provider;

(2) what (a) were the (i) dates and (ii) places of (aa) departure and (bb) arrival and (b) are the names of the passengers on the aircraft in each case for the duration of his visit from 18 September 2011 to 25 September 2011;

(3) what was the (a) total cost and (b) breakdown of such costs for each flight;

(4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

 NW3956E

REPLY:

1.(a) The aircraft used for the Presidential flight to the United States of America was a Boeing 727.

(b) The dedicated Presidential Boeing 737 aircraft, Inkwazi, is undergoing a two yearly service and is out of commission from 4 September until 30 November 2011.

(c) The service provider is Fortune Air.

(d) Fortune Air is being used as a service provider because the company has been awarded the RT-61 State Contract by National Treasury to provide VIP transport to state departments.

2 (a) The President was conveyed on the following routes with various refuelling stops en-route:

(i)

(ii)(aa)

(ii)(bb)

17/09/11

Waterkloof

New York

23/09/11

New York

Houston

24/09/11

Houston

Waterkloof

3.(a) Total Cost - R 6 331 174.67

(b) Aircraft and Crew -R 3 731 174,67

Fuel +Handling - R 2 600 000.00 (Estimated due to outstanding invoices)

4. No.

Issued by Parliament, November 23 2011

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