Lula calls for new presidential aircraft as technical glitches persist

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reiterated criticism of the limited range and capacity of Brazil’s current presidential plane, an Airbus VC‑1A/A319CJ, during a recent meeting with senior military officials. He cited recurring technical problems, including a failure on a Mexico trip in October 2024 and other incidents involving military aircraft, and argued that a larger, longer‑range aircraft is needed for international travel.

The estimated cost of a suitable replacement is around R$ 2 billion, a price that could generate political backlash in the current election year. While the president has asked the Ministry of Defence to study options, officials say the purchase is unlikely to move forward immediately due to the high expense and potential political fallout.