Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Sydney in a Defence Force 757 after repairs on the ageing aircraft were completed today.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed this afternoon the plane was back in action after concerns yesterday the plane would not be repaired in time for Luxon to visit Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tomorrow.
It's Luxon's first official overseas trip.
Earlier today Luxon confirmed he had asked the Defence Force to investigate and provide the Government options on a long-term solution to the VIP plane woes, which also plagued official trips for former prime ministers Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins.
Luxon said that could include flying commercially or leasing aircraft, or any number of "configurations".
He said it was time to "call time" on the planes' issues and it was "embarrassing".
Yesterday, upon announcing the trip, Luxon said Albanese — who he knew before becoming prime minister — was one of the first international leaders he spoke with after the election, and he was looking forward to "ongoing discussions" throughout his term as PM.
"The coalition government will be engaging internationally with new urgency and intensity, to invest in relationships, increase prosperity and enhance our security.
"That starts with Australia, New Zealand's most important partner and only ally."
According to official information sources, between 2020 and 2022, the two NZDF 757s cost an average of $77,247 per hour of flight, which over the three year period was almost 2148 hours.
The 757 aircraft is typically used for official trips as it allows the Government to fly not just the prime minister — or whoever is leading the trip — but also staff, the Diplomatic Protection Service, Air Force staff, a business delegation and media delegation to the destination.
The planes are used for other VIP transportation purposes as well as for freight in the Pacific, to transport troops and for trips to Antarctica.
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