New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has readied a spare aircraft for an official visit to China — just in case the 30-year-old plane he's traveling in breaks down.
Hipkins traveled to Beijing on Sunday in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 with a business and trade delegation, as well as media.
A New Zealand Air Force plane sits on the tarmac at Auckland Airport on May 21, 2023, preparing to take New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to Papua New Guinea.
The prime minister's spokesperson said using the air force plane is "far cheaper" than a commercial charter.
In August, Defense Minister Peeni Henare and a 30-person delegation got stuck in the Solomon Islands after their plane broke down.
Persons:
Chris Hipkins, Hipkins, China —, Nick Perry, David Seymour, Jacinda Ardern, Peeni Henare, John Key
Organizations:
Morning, Zealand's, Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing, Air Force, New Zealand Air Force, Auckland Airport, New Zealand, Associated, ACT, Boeing
Locations:
China, Beijing, Royal, Manila, Philippines, Darwin, Australia, Shanghai, Papua New Guinea, Zealand, Antarctica, Solomon Islands, India