OTTAWA – The European aviation company Airbus signed a $3.6 billion contract with federal government to replace its outdated Polaris transport fleet, including the use by prominent government representatives as the Governor General and the prime minister.
Polaris planes, in addition to VIP services, the Royal Canadian Air Force utilizes these planes for personnel transport and air – to – air refueling. The RCAF – 437 transport regiment used the fleet of five planes since 1992, and its lifecycle set to end in 2027. Extension of the fleet’s lifespan would be difficult and dangerous due to its aging technology.
The new fleet of planes includes five used and four new aircrafts named CC – 330, will be equipped to feature the same capabilities.
The used planes were bought by the government from a company in Kuwait, and this fall two of the planes are scheduled to begin its flight out of Ottawa International Airport.
One of planes expected to be delivered this summer will be dressed in a similar fashion to Justin Trudeau prime minister’s current plane. It is not yet confirmed by officials whether it will be ready for fly by September, when the prime minister is anticipated to attend the G20 summit hosted by India.
The aging fleet has caused problems for Trudeau in his time in the office. A situation in October 2016, the aircraft taking off with the prime minister was forced to circle back to Ottawa after 30 minutes from takeoff. The flight was on route to Belgium to certify the Canada – Europe free – trade deal.
In 2019 October, the official plane trundled in to a wall while being dragged into a hanger at 8 Wing Trenton, substantial structural mutilation sustained to the right engine cowling and nose, the Air force reported.
Since January, the Canadian crew have been training with the new aircraft in the United Kingdom, and it is said that a Polaris pilot will take three months of training to master the new Airbus, informed by the National Defense officials in a briefing.
