Air transports for heads of state and government are, in many countries, provided by the air force in specially equipped airliners, business jets, or helicopters. One such aircraft in particular has become part of popular culture: Air Force One, used by the president of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force. Other well-known official aircraft include the Russian presidential aircraft, the British Royal Air Force VIP aircraft, the French Cotam 001, the Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft, the German Konrad Adenauer, the Royal Australian Air Force VIP fleet, the Japanese Air Force One, the South Korean Code One, the Indian India One, the Brazilian Air Force One.

History

On 15 July 1910, the then Tsar of Bulgaria Ferdinand I became the first head of state to fly in an aircraft during a visit to Belgium.

In 1919, during Paris Peace Conference, senior British politicians including Prime Minister David Lloyd George and Leader of the House of Commons Bonar Law used several Airco DH.4 planes for the cross-Channel trips. Originally designed as bombers, modified planes featured an enclosed compartment for two passengers (cockpit was left open) and a separate luggage compartment. Dubbed Lloyd George's airplane, it was probably one of the first aircraft to be widely used by a political leader.

The British monarch became the first head of state or government to receive official and dedicated air transport when two Westland Wapitis were delivered to No. 24 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt for the express purpose of the transportation of the Royal family in 1928. Between 1929 and 1935, Edward, Prince of Wales, purchased 13 aircraft. Although the RAF maintained at least one of these aircraft for a time, the Prince of Wales eventually became solely responsible for them. When the prince ascended to the throne in 1936 as Edward VIII, The King's Flight was formed as the world's first head of state aircraft unit.Air International René Francillon Nov. 1999 "Fit for a King: Wings for Sovereigns, Presidents and Prime Ministers" pp. 289–290

In the United States, prior to World War II overseas and cross-country presidential travel was rare. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to fly in an aircraft while in office. During World War II, Roosevelt traveled on the Dixie Clipper, a Pan Am-crewed Boeing 314 flying boat, to the 1943 Casablanca Conference in Morocco. The flight covered 5,500 miles in three legs.Hardesty 2003, p. 38."Factsheet: Douglas VC-54C SACRED COW." National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved: 19 October 2009. The first dedicated aircraft proposed for presidential use was a Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express VIP transport aircraft. This aircraft, tail number 41-24159, was re-modified in 1943 for use as a presidential VIP transport, the Guess Where II, intended to carry President Franklin D. Roosevelt on international trips.Dorr 2002, p. 134. The Secret Service subsequently reconfigured a Douglas C-54 Skymaster for duty as a presidential transport. This VC-54C aircraft, nicknamed the Sacred Cow, included a sleeping area, radio telephone, and retractable elevator to lift Roosevelt in his wheelchair. As modified, the VC-54C was used by President Roosevelt only once, on his trip to and from the Yalta Conference in February 1945.

Africa

Burundi The government of Burundi previously operated a Gulfstream IV for use by the President.Hancock 2016, p. 13

Cameroon In 2004, the Cameroonian government purchased a Boeing 767, believing it to be new. The aircraft developed multiple technical issues following its first flight, which resulted in the "Albatross scandal" - where multiple high-ranking political leaders were jailed for attempting to kill the president by sabotaging the plane.

Ghana

The government of Ghana operated a Dassault Falcon 900EX, registered as 9G-EXE. However, after suffering extensive corrosion, it was deemed unsafe for the president to fly on and was subsequently parked.Hancock 2016, p. 29

Kenya The government of Kenya currently operates a Fokker 70 registered KAF308 and officially named "Harambee One". It was purchased in 1995 and used for the first time on 26 January 1996 by President Daniel arap Moi.Hancock 2016, p. 43 The Fokker is only used for transportation within Africa or for travel to Europe.

The Kenyan President primarily uses Kenya Airways for long-haul international travel.

Liberia The government of Liberia mainly uses commercial and corporate jets for travel.

The government used to operate a French-registered Dassault Falcon 900EX for travel.Liberia: George Weah’s property empire fuels distrust over asset declaration, 2021, rfi.fr

Madagascar The government of Madagascar operated a Boeing 737-300 in 2015.

Mali

The government of Mali operated a Boeing 737-700/BBJ.Hancock 2016, p. 46

Nigeria

The Nigerian Air Force currently maintains an Airbus A330-243, designated NAF-001, registered 5N-FGA as the primary means of transport for the President of Nigeria.

The aircraft is known with call sign "Eagle One" when conveying the Nigerian President. In addition, there is a Gulfstream V-SP registered 5N-FGS, a Gulfstream 550 registered 5N-FGW, two Falcon 7X registered 5N-FGV and 5N-FGU, a Dornier 228 and three A139 helicopters.

Senegal

The government of Senegal currently operates a A320neo registered 6V-SEN and officially named "Langue de Barbarie".

Seychelles The government uses commercial or private aircraft for travel. In particular, during a state visit to Mauritius in November 2020, President Wavel Ramkalawan used a Beechcraft 1900D (reg: S7-DES) from IDC Aviation (Islands Development Company).

Sierra Leone

The government uses commercial or private aircraft for travel. They are also known to use VIP aircraft from other countries for travel.

Somalia

The government of Somalia under Presidents Aden Adde and Abdirashid Shermarke traveled on a Douglas DC-3.

The government of Somalia under President Siad Barre and government officials often traveled on an Ilyushin Il-62 until the mid-1970s and then on a Boeing 707. The aircraft would be in the livery of the state-owned and flag carrier airline at the time, Somali Airlines.

South Africa

In 2015, President Jacob Zuma asked Armscor to procure a business jet capable of carrying at least 30 passengers and traveling long distances, and much larger than the current presidential jet (Inkwazi). Models being considered included the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A340.

Uganda

The government of Uganda uses a Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (5X-UGF) to transport the President and government officials.

The President of Uganda uses a Mil Mi-171 of the Uganda People's Defence Force for internal flights. The helicopter was delivered in early 2016 after the government had budgeted 11.3billion Ugandan Shillings for the new helicopter. It is equipped with a cloak room, snack bar, bathroom and luggage compartment and seats up to 12 passengers.

Zambia The Zambian Air Force bought a Gulfstream G650 (AF001) for the president and government officials. The deal sparked a scandal in the country. The first Zambian president, Kenneth Kaunda, used a Douglas DC-8 of the now-liquidated Zambia Airways, among other national carriers. A Challenger CL604 (reg: 9J-ONE) was also acquired and eventually sold.

In 2019, a Sukhoi Superjet 100 in a business jet configuration was ordered but was later cancelled.

Asia

Armenia

The Armenian Government operates an Airbus A319CJ (Reg: 701) for VIP use.Hancock 2016, p. 7 A Tupolev Tu-134(Reg: EK-65975) was previously used.

Azerbaijan The President of Azerbaijan currently has several aircraft dedicated for travel. These include an Airbus A319 nicknamed "Baku", an Airbus A320 Prestige, a Boeing 767-300ER nicknamed "Baku-1", a leased Airbus A340-600 nicknamed "Baku-8".

Bangladesh

For long-distance flights or flights with an especially large entourage, a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is usually used; for medium to short-distance flights a Boeing 787 Dreamliner is typically used.

Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia operated a Chinese-registered Airbus A320 in 2015 which flies under the callsign KOC01.

China

Air transportation for the CCP general secretary, president, premier or other government officials of China is managed and operated by the 34th division of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Six Boeing 737-300s, two 737-700s, and four 737-800s, as well as three Airbus A319s and ten Bombardier Challenger 800 are used for these missions.

A Boeing 747-8I with Air China branding and registration B-2479 was converted and tested for exclusive use as head of state transport around 2016–2017. Although no official photos have been released, it is speculated that the interior is fitted with conference tables, private bedrooms, office suites, and more. A commercial Air China Boeing 747-4J6 has in the past been converted for international travel when necessary. The three 747-400 used for this purpose have the following registrations: B-2445, B-2447, B-2472. At least one of them was specially retrofitted during official use and returned to commercial service afterwards; however, since 2020, all 747-400s have officially been retired from government use and have since been converted to a permanent commercial airline configuration.

A secondhand Boeing 767-300ER was purchased by the Chinese government for use by the then Chinese leader and CCP general secretary Jiang Zemin in 2000. An international incident occurred in 2001 when the government claimed it had discovered 27 bugs embedded in the aircraft's interior.

Georgia Georgian Airways operated a single Bombardier Challenger 850 since 2007 to carry the President of Georgia and government officials. In 2011, a Gulfstream 450 was added to its inventory, possibly replacing the Challenger in its VIP transport role.

India

India One (AIC001) is the callsign of any aircraft with the President, Vice President or the Prime Minister of India on board. For international travel, two dedicated Indian Air Force Boeing 777-300ERs with registrations K7066 and K7067 which arrived in October 2020 are used. The aircraft are equipped with encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids. The jets are also equipped with an advanced missile warning system, a missile deflecting shield, and electronic countermeasures to provide protection from any ground-based or airborne threat. The aircraft are also equipped with flares and glares to mislead any missile.

For domestic and short distance international travel, three Boeing 737 BBJ aircraft are used. The three Boeing 737-200 also used by the President, the Vice President or the Prime Minister were inducted in 2008. These aircraft have a range of and are fitted with encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids. The jets are also equipped with an advanced missile warning system, a missile deflecting shield and electronic counter measures so as to provide protection from any ground-based or airborne threats.

Other aircraft used by other government officials are four 14-seater Embraer 135s.

Indonesia

As Indonesia is a sprawling archipelagic nation,Kuoni – Far East, A world of difference. Page 88. Published 1999 by Kuoni Travel & JPM Publications the president of Indonesia frequently needs VIP air transportation for visiting Indonesian provinces, attending international summits and meetings, and traveling on official foreign visits. In April 2014, Indonesia acquired Indonesia One, an aircraft dedicated to transportation of the president and the vice president and their entourage.