Bad news for govt over Falcon jet sale

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE government is unlikely to recoup the cost of the executive Falcon jet (pictured) that was put up for sale last year, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told parliament yesterday. 
This was because of a depression in the aviation market as well as the depreciation in the value of the aircraft.
Replying to a question from Enga Governor Peter Ipatas during question time, O’Neill said if the aircraft could not be sold, the government would bring it back to the country for airline charter services.
The jet, currently in Singapore, was bought by the Somare-Temu regime for K120 million but was put up for sale by the O’Neill-Namah regime last year.
O’Neill said four potential buyers had looked at the aircraft but decided against buying it.
The money from its sale was earmarked for the ailing health infrastructure in the country.
“The government may not recover what was spent on
buying the aircraft,” O’Neill said.
 “I have been advised that Air Niugini is still looking for possible buyers and, if the jet is not sold, then it can be used for charter services in PNG.
“The government will take advice from Air Niugini which is managing the aircraft and will pursue possible and constructive steps to take.”
He said his government understood it had an obligation to the people as it was bought using taxpayers’ money and was committed to selling it.