New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, faced an unexpected travel disruption on Sunday when the New Zealand Defence Force plane transporting him to Japan broke down. Luxon’s office confirmed on Monday that the Prime Minister had to switch to a commercial flight to continue his journey.
The incident occurred during a refueling stop in Papua New Guinea, where the Boeing 757 broke down, leaving the Prime Minister’s business delegation and accompanying journalists stranded in Port Moresby. Despite the setback, Luxon proceeded to Japan as scheduled, where he will spend four days engaging in diplomatic meetings and promoting New Zealand’s business interests. A significant part of his agenda includes a meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The breakdown highlights the growing concerns over the reliability of the New Zealand Defence Force’s aircraft. The two Boeing 757s in service are over 30 years old, and their age has led to frequent mechanical issues. New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins addressed the problem on Monday, calling the recurring flight issues “embarrassing” during an interview with radio station Newstalk ZB. Collins suggested that the ministry might consider using commercial flights for the Prime Minister and his delegation in the future to avoid such disruptions.
The incident underscores broader challenges faced by New Zealand’s defence force, which is grappling with outdated equipment and difficulties in retaining sufficient personnel. While the government has expressed a desire to increase defence spending, it is also balancing this need against efforts to reduce overall expenditure amid economic challenges.
Melissa Enoch
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