Air transports of heads of state and government
Air transports for heads of state and government are, in many countries, provided by the air force in specially equipped airliners or business jets. One such aircraft in particular has become part of popular culture: Air Force One, used by the president of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force. Other well-known official aircraft include the Russian presidential aircraft, the British Royal Air Force VIP aircraft, the French Cotam 001, the Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft, the German Konrad Adenauer, the Royal Australian Airforce VIP aircraft, the Japanese Air Force One, the South Korean Code One, the Indian Air India One, the Brazilian Air Force One.
Another well-known means of transportation for world leaders is by helicopter. Helicopters are seen as not only cheaper and more cost effective but also more convenient than a motorcade. These include the US President's Marine One, the South Korean Presidential Helicopter, King Charles III's Helicopter, and the Brazilian Presidential Helicopter.
If officials do not have their own aircraft or if their VIP aircraft are under maintenance, they would occasionally hire private jets, in which case a flag/coat of arms decal/sticker is often added on or near the door.
History
On 15 July 1910, the then Tsar of Bulgaria Ferdinand I became the first head of state to fly in an aircraft during a visit to Belgium.In 1919, during Paris Peace Conference, senior British politicians including Prime Minister David Lloyd George and Leader of the House of Commons Bonar Law used several Airco DH.4 planes for the cross-Channel trips. Originally designed as bombers, modified planes featured an enclosed compartment for two passengers and a separate luggage compartment. Dubbed Lloyd George's airplane, it was probably one of the first aircraft to be widely used by a political leader.
The British monarch became the first head of state or government to receive official and dedicated air transport when two Westland Wapitis were delivered to No. 24 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt for the express purpose of the transportation of the Royal family in 1928. Between 1929 and 1935, Edward, Prince of Wales, purchased 13 aircraft. Although the RAF maintained at least one of these aircraft for a time, the Prince of Wales eventually became solely responsible for them. When the prince ascended to the throne in 1936 as Edward VIII, The King's Flight was formed as the world's first head of state aircraft unit. This unit initially used the King's own de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide; however, this was replaced in May 1937 by an Airspeed AS.6J Envoy III.
In the United States, prior to World War II overseas and cross-country presidential travel was rare. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to fly in an aircraft while in office. During World War II, Roosevelt traveled on the Dixie Clipper, a Pan Am-crewed Boeing 314 flying boat, to the 1943 Casablanca Conference in Morocco. The flight covered 5,500 miles in three legs. The first dedicated aircraft proposed for presidential use was a Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express VIP transport aircraft. This aircraft, tail number 41-24159, was re-modified in 1943 for use as a presidential VIP transport, the Guess Where II, intended to carry President Franklin D. Roosevelt on international trips. The Secret Service subsequently reconfigured a Douglas C-54 Skymaster for duty as a presidential transport. This VC-54C aircraft, nicknamed the Sacred Cow, included a sleeping area, radio telephone, and retractable elevator to lift Roosevelt in his wheelchair. As modified, the VC-54C was used by President Roosevelt only once, on his trip to and from the Yalta Conference in February 1945.
In the postwar period, governments around the world have instituted similar provisions for the official aerial transportation of their heads of state and government.
Africa
Angola
Previously operated aircraft by Angolan Air Force for use by the government of Angola:| Type | Quantity | Registration | Date of Delivery | Notes |
| Boeing 707 | 2 | D2-MAN D2-TPR | May 29, 2003 February 7, 1995 | Both aircraft are of the -300 variant. D2-MAN was first delivered to Pan Am in 1969, and was transferred to multiple charter airlines before being delivered to the Angolan government. D2-TPR was first delivered to CAAC in 1973, before being transferred to Air China in 1988, then to the Angolan government. Both aircraft were sold at auction in 2019. |
Benin
Burundi
The government of Burundi previously operated a Gulfstream IV for use by the President.Cameroon
Officials from the government of Cameroon usually tend to travel on private corporate jets, using aircraft from companies like Aviation Link and Comlux.However, the Cameroon Air Force did previously operate a number of aircraft for exclusive use by the President and government officials. These include:
| Type | Quantity | Registration | Date of Delivery | Notes |
| Boeing 767 | 1 | TJ-AAC | March 23, 2004 | Aircraft is of the -200 variant. First delivered in 1986 to LAN Chile, before switching hands between multiple airlines and finally settling with the Cameroonian government in 2004. The aircraft developed multiple technical issues following its first flight, which resulted in the "Albatross scandal" - where multiple high-ranking political leaders were jailed for attempting to kill the president by sabotaging the plane. |
Any aircraft carrying the president flies under the callsign "CMR1".
Egypt
The government of Egypt operates a Boeing B747-8 initially built for Lufthansa in 2015, as of 2022 the plane was undergoing a refit in Germany and Ireland. It also uses two Dassault Aviation Dassault Falcon 7X, one Dassault falcon 8x and one Airbus A340 from 1995 bought by Hosni Mubarak.Any aircraft carrying the president will fly under the callsign "EGY01".
Ghana
The government of Ghana operated a Dassault Falcon 900EX, registered as 9G-EXE that is now parked as it has undergone extensive corrosion and is no longer safe for the president to fly on.Kenya
the Kenyan President primarily uses Kenya Airways for his international travel.The government of Kenya currently operates a Fokker 70 registered KAF308 and officially named "Harambee One". It was purchased in 1995 and used for the first time on 26 January 1996 by President Daniel arap Moi. The Fokker is only used for inner African or European travel.
Liberia
The government of Liberia mainly uses commercial and corporate jets for travel.The government used to operate a French-registered Dassault Falcon 900EX for travel.
Madagascar
The government of Madagascar operated a Boeing 737-300 in 2015.Mali
The government of Mali operated a Boeing 737-700/BBJ, registered TZ-PRM, but in September 2024 Al-Qaeda insurgents stormed the airport and set fire to the right hand engine and it has since been stored at BKO airport.Nigeria
The Nigerian Air Force currently maintains an Airbus A330-243, designated NAF-001, registered 5N-FGA as the primary means of transport for the President of Nigeria.The aircraft is known with call sign "Eagle One" when conveying the Nigerian President. In addition, there is a Gulfstream V-SP registered 5N-FGS, a Gulfstream 550 registered 5N-FGW, two Falcon 7X registered 5N-FGV and 5N-FGU, a Dornier 228 and three A139 helicopters.
The president fly's under the callsign "NRG001" and the vice president fly's under "NRG002"
Seychelles
The government uses commercial or private aircraft for travel. In particular, during a state visit to Mauritius in November 2020, President Wavel Ramkalawan used a Beechcraft 1900D from IDC Aviation.Sierra Leone
The government uses commercial or private aircraft for travel. They are also known to use VIP aircraft from other countries for travel.Any aircraft carrying the President flies under the callsign "SIER001".
South Africa
In 2015, President Jacob Zuma asked Armscor to procure a business jet with the capability of carrying at least 30 passengers and traveling long range distances and which is much larger than the current presidential jet. Models being considered included the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A340.Uganda
The government of Uganda uses a Gulfstream Aerospace G550 to transport the President and government officials.The President of Uganda uses a Mil Mi-171 of the Uganda People's Defence Force for internal flights. The helicopter was delivered in early 2016 after the government had budgeted 11.3billion Ugandan Shillings for the new helicopter. It is equipped with a cloak room, snack bar, bathroom and luggage compartment and seats up to 12 passengers.
Zambia
The Zambian Air Force bought a Gulfstream G650 for the president and government officials. This deal caused a scandal within the country.The first Zambian president, Kenneth Kaunda, used a Douglas DC-8 of the now liquidated Zambia Airways among other national carriers. A Challenger CL604 was also acquired and eventually sold.
In 2019, a Sukhoi Superjet 100 in a business jet configuration was ordered but was later cancelled.