Public portrait of Sarkozy’s A330: French “GAO” flags cost overrun | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

Public portrait of Sarkozy’s A330: French “GAO” flags cost overrun

The refurbishment of a government Airbus A330-200 (used mainly for the president) ran €33.2 million (about $46 million) over budget, according to a recent

The Airbus A330-200 French president Nicholas Sarkozy has been using ran €33.2 million over budget.

By Thierry Dubois • Writer

October 3, 2011

The refurbishment of a government Airbus A330-200 (used mainly for the president) ran €33.2 million (about $46 million) over budget, according to a recent report from the “Cour des comptes,” the French equivalent of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Replacement of the engines and interior upgrades are listed as the primary reasons for the cost overrun.

The A330 replaces two A319CJs that did not have enough range for President Nicolas Sarkozy. Three companies–Airbus, Air France Industries and Sabena Technics–bid for the contract, which included finding a used aircraft and refurbishing it. The report explains that the first two firms, convinced the contract would be financially too risky, soon withdrew. Airbus and Air France were also unsure whether they would be able to find a suitable used aircraft in time. Ten months elapsed from the first talks with the bidding companies to the formal contract signature in 2008.

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