The new presidential plane takes off from Hermosillo’s airport after its first official flight.
BY CARMEN GUDIÑO
The News
At 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, the new presidential plane took off on its first official flight with destination to Hermosillo, Sonora, where President Enrique Peña Nieto attended a ceremony to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Mexican Air Force.
A total of 10 elementary and middle school children with the best grade averages were invited on the first flight of the “José María Morelos y Pavón” TP01.
Secretary of Defense Salvador Cienfuegos, Secretary of Navy Francisco Soberón and Interior Secretary Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong were also aboard the flight.
The president explained that this is a work space for the president, which was acquired in the last term as part of an institutional renovation process of the Mexican fleet.
Peña Nieto assured that the aircraft doesn’t belong to the president, but to all of Mexico. He said that the process of acquiring the plane was done with the utmost transparency. They even analyzed the possibility of selling the plane, which wasn’t viable, the president said.
The “José María Morelos y Pavón” airplane can transport up to 80 passengers, which is 20 more passengers than the previous presidential plane.
Aboard the new plane, the president will be able to receive information for any part of the world, as it is equipped with satellite telecommunication and the internet. The plane also has space for the Presidential Guard, an area for the president and officials, a bed and bathroom for the president and a space in the back for journalists.
Peña Nieto said that the Army, Navy and the Air Force guarantee peace, sovereignty and national independence.
