Egypt prepares to receive a new, controversial presidential plane

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Simple Flying has said that Egypt is preparing to receive a new presidential plane, the purchase of which sparked widespread controversy last month. The website specialized in aviation news and published pictures of the new aircraft, a Boeing 747-800, after being painted its exterior in Ireland. In September, Simple Flying said that the Egyptian Presidency bought a $487 million plane known for its luxurious equipment and high operation and maintenance costs. It added that Egypt requested modifications to the plane to suit President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

According to The Drive, the plane, dubbed the Queen of the Sky, consumes more than 10,000 litres of gasoline per hour, and the cost of operating it per hour exceeds 18 thousand dollars. The price to change its four engines together is more than $50 million, with a single engine priced at $13 million, according to Executive Flyer.

The Egyptian government’s purchase of the plane sparked criticism due to its high price when Egyptians suffered from a severe economic crisis.