There was a discussion this morning that the Government of Netherlands operated Boeing B737 Business Jet is getting transferred to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht - The Royal Netherlands Air Force. But the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has put a stop to it saying , there is no question of transferring , the aircraft will remain with them.
The talk was regarding Boeing B737-700(BBJ) aircraft registered as PH-GOV ,which is under the custody of Ministerie IenW - The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of Netherlands.
This concluded that the Luxurious busisness jet is not going to become an " Air Force One" of Netherlands , like that of United States of America - which is the radio call sign adopted by any Air Force plane while the American president is aboard.
The Business Jet , which is normally used by the King and the Cabinet of Netherlands , was delivered to the Government in April 2018 by Boeing , while Fokker Techniek was involved in interior works.
After delivery and hand-over to the Government, the aircraft was adopted in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ fleet. KLM was contracted as the responsible partner for the operation.
For the interior Job , a contract was awarded to the Boeing Company in 2017, with Fokker Techniek as subcontractor, responsible for the design engineering, procurement, integration and certification of the VIP Interior.
Apart from various other features for the business jet , the latest satellite communication (SATCOM) technologies have been incorporated. The SATCOM enables working online and making (video)calls with mobile phones during flights. An audio / video on demand system (AVOD) is available to the passengers.
Specifically modified Direct View cabin camera system, for monitoring the cabin during Taxi, Take-off and Landing by the cabin crew, from their seat positions, one of Fokker’s own certified developments, has been incorporated. The PH-GOV is equipped with additional fuel tanks, which enables i.e. a nonstop flight to the overseas territories of the Netherlands.
Till date, the Boeing Business Jet - BBJ has been maintained as a civilian aircraft under the Dutch civil registration as PH-GOV. Today's buzz was the transfer of the Custody and Registration of the Aircraft from 'Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management' to 'Royal Netherlands Air Force' , which was denied by the Government saying ,
"van overheveling is geen sprake. De PH-GOV blijft bij IenW." which means "there is no question of transferring. The PH-GOV will remain with IenW".
Pictures : Fokker Techniek , Menno Swart .
