According to the experts in the Finance Ministry, the cost of purchasing and outfitting a plane that would serve the president and prime minister would be 140 million NIS. Of that price, 105 million is for the purchase while 35 million would be allocated for the conversion. It is emphasized these costs do not cover annual maintenance and security, which initial estimates place at 35 million NIS annually. Added to this are operational and other costs.
At present, the president and prime minister use El Al flights when traveling, with the airline making the necessary arrangements to accommodate the VIPs and the official delegations.
Haaretz adds that high-ranking government officials point out these cost estimates are from three years ago, and no longer accurate. The facts and figures from three years ago estimated it would take 15-22 years to make up the cost of the purchase, modification and operation of an Israeli Air Force 1.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office report that current costs for the president’s and prime minister’s flights are about $7 million annually.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Ahhha now we got it! the old age saying follow the money. they cut the money going to Kollels not because they couldnt afford it but to buy new toys.
that would have been my pocket change, just falling out of my pocket… but…, ok….
the u.s. free economy index is still a bit too high, snowden etc