The Dutch Government is acquiring a new Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to transport government officials and the Dutch Royal family. The aircraft, which will be registered PH-GOV, will be fitted with five auxiliary tanks and provide 4,950-nm range. Fokker Services is completing the aircraft, which will be configured for 24 passengers split into two cabins (12 VIP, 12 staff) and include a crew rest area and shower. The interior will include the latest satcom technologies.
Under the agreement, signed last month, the aircraft is to roll off the production line in May 2018. The completed aircraft is expected to be delivered in March 2019.
To replace the government’s existing 22-year-old aircraft, the new BBJ was acquired for less than €90 million ($101 million) including taxes, according to aircraft consultancy Altea.
The Dutch Government retained Altea to assist in the sale. The London, UK-based company is managing the end-to-end process, including the purchase, oversight of manufacturing, modification and completion.
“By partnering externally with Altea, the Dutch Government was able to bring essential and specific market expertise into the team,” said Hans Usselstijin, from the Ministerie van Infrastructuur & Milieu, adding the partnership helped the government balance the complexities of the EU regulations and the public spending requirements.
The purchased, added Altea, is believed to be one of the first state-sponsored commercial aircraft purchases under EU tendering regulations.
“This aircraft purchasing project had a number of difficult and complex challenges,” said Altea founding partner Jean Semiramoth. But he added that Altea worked closely with the Dutch government to build a solid understanding of the process. “Speaking with one voice made the process much easier,” he said.