The Federal Government has finalised the process of selling Nigeria’s 20-year-old presidential aircraft, a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).

This follows the acquisition of Airbus A330 for the use of President Bola Tinubu.

The A330 was acquired last year for $100m (over N150bn) amidst criticism over the high cost of the new Jet.

The Boeing 737-700 BBJ, which has been put on sale in Switzerland, was originally acquired during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

The old presidential aircraft is said to be undergoing inspections at AMAC Aerospace, Basel, according to public listings on Controller, a global aircraft sales platform.

Daily Trust reports that last year, the federal government put up three aircraft in the presidential fleet for sale following the move to acquire a new aircraft.

However, the Airbus 330 was acquired without the old aircraft disposed of as planned.

The Presidential fleet consists of six aircraft and six helicopters.

The aircraft include one Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) hitherto used as Air Force One which is now listed for sale; one Gulfstream G550 (14 years old, in good condition), one Gulfstream GV (24 years old, unserviceable); two Falcon 7Xs (one serviceable, one unserviceable), and one Challenger CL605 (13 years old, serviceable).

Apart from the BBJ aircraft being put up for sale, there are plans to also sell one Gulfstream and a Falcon 7x.

Our correspondent estimates that a used Boeing Business Jet costs between $25m to $41m depending on the number of hours and landings it has flown. Also the used Gulfstream goes for between $12m to $15m.

Daily Trust reports that the decision to acquire the A330 aircraft for the President’s official travels follow the increasing maintenance cost for the BBJ.

The BBJ manufactured by popular aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, was said to be consuming millions of dollars in maintenance.

The BBJ began production in 1998, and initially cost $36 million for the unfinished aircraft. It now sells for $41 million for used and $71 million for a brand new aircraft.

While the age of an aircraft does not matter in terms of its performance, our correspondent reports that the maintenance cost increases unlike newer and more modern aircraft being made in recent times.

A month to the expiration of the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the aircraft was sent for a comprehensive maintenance ahead of the inauguration of Tinubu’s government.

But since Tinubu took over and inherited the aircraft, it has been sent for other rounds of scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance.

Sources privy to the operation of the presidential fleet confirmed that the aircraft amassed over $5 million in maintenance bills constituting nearly half of the over $10 million liabilities inherited at the presidential fleet.

According to the listing, interested buyers were directed to contact AMAC Aerospace for the asking price.

Configured to carry 33 passengers and 8 crew, the listing said the aircraft offers a 5-zone seating layout.

Zone 1 is dedicated to crew rest, including two crew rest seats and two cabin attendant seats. Zone 2 features a VIP stateroom equipped with a bed, a two-place divan, and a private lavatory. Zone 3 includes a VIP lounge configured as a four-seat conference room while Zone 4 consists of nine forward-facing first-class seats just as Zone 5 offers eighteen forward-facing business-class seats. (Weekend Trust, excluding headline)