News

Dangote Buys Eight Seater Private Jet At $45 Million

[Trading Markets] — President of the Dangote Group of Companies Alhaji Aliko Dangote has acquired a Bombardier aircraft for his private uses. The jet is valued at $45m. Its acquisition coincided with his 53rd birthday on Saturday.

The brand new Bombardier’s Global Express XRS was delivered to him in Lagos on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja from Bombardier Aerospace’s facilities in Montreal Canada.

The Sales Director for Africa, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Mr. Robert Habjanic confirmed the story to Daily Trust in a telephone conversation yesterday.

According to him, the Bombardier eight passenger jet model acquired by Dangote has the capacity to operate a nonstop flight between Lagos and China.

He hinted that Dangote is one of the first persons to take delivery of such aircraft in Nigeria but two other people are also expecting the delivery of the same Bombardier jets before the end of the year.

Habjanic said: “This delivery marks an important milestone in our rapidly growing presence in Nigeria. Our Global Express XRS aircraft’s combination of speed, range, safety, and efficiency makes it the perfect solution for the growing travel requirements and international activities of Leading Corporations, based in the region.”

He added: “Bombardier Business Aircraft personally went the extra mile in ensuring customer satisfaction from Delivery in Montreal to flying along on the maiden voyage in order to address any questions, as the aircraft enters its role as a valued Business Tool for Dangote Industries.”

On the value of the jet, he said: “It is not expensive depending on individual’s priority but if anyone is interested, then the person should come for enquiry.”

Even though, the business tycoon could not be reached at the time of filling this report, information gathered revealed that the new Dangote’s aircraft arrival coincided with his 53rd birthday.

Information revealed further that the acquisition of the aircraft might not be unconnected with the need to meet with his business travel appointments which cuts across borders.

However, an eyewitness at the point of delivering the aircraft told our reporter that the aircraft was later parked at the General Aviation Terminal, near Associated Airlines’ hangar with the presence of Dangote himself.

Bombardier Incorporated is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, were $19.7 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes.

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