Peru President Pedro Castillo announced on Wednesday that the presidential plane would be sold and the money raised would be used to fund health and education sectors, which have been hit hard by the new coronavirus pandemic.
“I am announcing that we will sell the presidential aircraft, the proceeds (of the sale) will be donated to health and education,” said the left-wing president, who spoke in Ayacucho (southeast).
Mr Castillo also announced a ban on “all public officials traveling by air in the first place” as part of austerity measures for government officials, in order to end the “privileges” enjoyed by “numerous” officials.
“In a people’s government, civil servants travel like ordinary citizens,” said the former educator and trade unionist, who was elected to the top post in Peru in July.
The presidential aircraft is a Boeing 737-528, with a capacity of 70 passengers.
This is not the first time a Peruvian head of state has tried to sell the aircraft.
In 2007, former President Alan Garcia failed to do so despite two auctions. One of the reasons was the asking price – $ 18.5 million.
The aircraft was purchased by the Peruvian government in 1995 for $ 27.6 million during the presidency of Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).
President Castillo also announced that there would be an increase in the minimum wage in Peru from 930 to 1,000 sol (from 194 to 217 euros) from 1 December.
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