Trudeau’s plane breaks down again, this time in Jamaica, after a string of similar embarrassments
Justin Trudeau
Months afterthe Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeauwas left red-faceddue to a technical snag inhis aircraft during the G20 summit held inIndia in September last year, amaintenance issue again surfaced in the CC-144 Challenger aircraft used to transport the Canadian leader during afamily vacation in Jamaica.
In September, Trudeau's return trip from the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi faced delays due to technical issues with the Polaris aircraft.
The latest woes with Trudeau's jetcame to light during an inspection on Tuesday (Jan 2), reports said citing the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND).
Immediately after Trudeau's jet broke down, a second Challenger aircraft carrying a maintenance team was swiftly dispatched to Jamaica on Wednesday (Jan 3).
Meanwhile, the original aircraft was successfully restored after "serviceability".
“The (second) aircraft remained in the area as a back-up if necessary, and the Prime Minister was able to return on the original aircraft," saidDND spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin.
The Canadian PM was able to get back to his country on Thursday (Jan 4), as per Poulin. However, it has not been revealed as to what was the specific mechanical problem that caused the CC-144 Challenger aircraft break down in the first place.
Trudeau is mandated to travel on military aircraft for security reasons. Notably, the CC-144 Challenger planes were introduced to replace the ageing CC-150 Polaris fleet in the fall.
On the Jamaica vacation which started on December 26, the Canadian PM was accompanied by Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, and his three children. The couple announced their separation after 18 years of marriage.
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Earlier instances
In a similar incident earlier in October 2016, technical issues forced the Canadian Prime Minister's plane to return to Ottawa just thirty minutes after takeoff. Notably, Trudeau was en route to Belgium to finalise trade agreements with the European Union. While inOctober 2019, Trudeau's plane encountered a mishap when it collided with a wall as it wasbeing moved to the hangar.
In December 2019 itself, during the NATO Summit, Trudeau had to rely on a backup plane but even this alternative aircraft faced setbacks in London, grounding the jet.
(With inputs from agencies)