Romanian president’s visit to Asia sparks presidential aircraft debate

President Klaus Iohannis’ recent visit to Japan and Singapore, for which the Presidential Administration rented a private Boeing aircraft from a Luxembourgish company, sparked a debate around the need for a dedicated Romanian presidential aircraft.

Lacking an official aircraft for state officials, Romania is a rare case in the European Union and even in the region. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary each have an Airbus for official use, while Poland has a Boeing, according to Digi24.

It has been no less than ten years since Romania had an official aircraft to serve dignitaries, particularly the president and prime minister.

The Boeing 707 that late communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu and the next three presidents used was sold a decade ago amid a conflict between then-president Traian Basescu and transport minister Relu Fenechiu. The former presidential aircraft was then converted into a flying tanker and is currently used for the US military. The company that purchased it from Romania, Omega Air, provides in-flight refueling services for the Pentagon.

Since then, Romania's presidents have rented aircraft when traveling abroad, often from national carrier TAROM. President Iohannis prefers to travel on private aircraft. In recent years, the head of state has also refused to allow the press to travel on the presidential aircraft, although he did so in the first part of his term, according to Euronews.

The presidential administration also rented a plane for the president's recent visit to Japan and Singapore.

"Romania needs a presidential aircraft," said the current minister of transport, Sorin Grindeanu. “A matter that, in my opinion, the Romanian state must resolve, and I take responsibility for it, even if it will attract criticism. Just like other countries in the world have an official aircraft, I believe that the Romanian state also needs one to serve the presidential administration, the government, and other institutions," he added.

Minister Grindeanu also said that the subject has been avoided until now because no politician wants to be seen adding expenses to the state budget.