President Tinubu departed Abuja Monday, August 19, 2024, for Paris, using the new Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly, said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria's parliament that questioned the plane's safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian Senates security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses, Onanuga said in a statement.