Corendon and TUI offer to operate Dutch government jet, say plan could save €100 million

Airlines Corendon and TUI have offered to operate the Dutch government’s current Boeing PH-GOV aircraft instead of replacing it, saying the plan could save taxpayers 100 million euros, De Telegraaf reports.

The Jetten I Cabinet wants to purchase a new government aircraft costing at least 100 million U.S. dollars. The plan is linked to KLM’s shift from Boeing to Airbus aircraft. Officials say this shift affects KLM’s ability to continue operating the current government aircraft used for state and royal transport.

Corendon founder Atilay Uslu said the aircraft does not need to be replaced. He said his company could take over both operations and maintenance of the plane. He said this could reduce costs for the Dutch state.

He said, "We operate Boeing 737 aircraft, and we could handle the operation and maintenance of the government aircraft. That would save the cabinet and Dutch taxpayers a significant amount of money.”

Uslu also rejected the government’s position that KLM is the only Dutch carrier capable of meeting required safety standards for transporting cabinet members and the Royal House.

He said, "It is nonsense to say that KLM is the only company in the Netherlands able to operate government flights.”

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, KLM is currently the only operator in the Dutch market that meets all safety requirements for transporting members of the cabinet and the Royal House.

Uslu said the Boeing PH-GOV could remain in service for another 20 years.

Corendon and TUI said their offer is intended to improve financial efficiency. They also said it is meant to reduce government spending on either maintaining or replacing the aircraft. The companies have not provided detailed conditions for their proposal. They said they would assume operational responsibility if KLM is unable to continue.