New Zealand Prime Minister's plane crashes en route to Japan

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) plane carrying New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Japan suffered a malfunction, forcing him to use a commercial flight instead.

A New Zealand Defence Force plane carrying the New Zealand Prime Minister is stranded in Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ

New Zealand media reported that the Boeing 757 carrying Prime Minister Luxon had a technical problem on June 16, while stopping to refuel in Papua New Guinea, leaving the business delegation and accompanying journalists stranded in Port Moresby, while Mr. Luxon boarded a commercial flight to Japan. According to the announcement of the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Luxon will spend 4 days in Japan, where he is expected to meet his host counterpart Fumio Kishida and promote economic cooperation between New Zealand and Japan.

The NZDF currently has two Boeing 757s in service that have been in operation for the past 30 years. Speaking on Newstalk ZB radio on June 17, New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins acknowledged the above problems and said that the ministry is considering allowing Prime Minister Luxon and his entourage to use commercial flights instead of NZDF aircraft.

In reality, the NZDF is struggling to manage aging equipment and maintain personnel. The New Zealand government says it wants to invest more in defense, but it needs to be prudent given the country’s economic headwinds.

LAM DIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/may-bay-cua-thu-tuong-new-zealand-gap-su-co-tren-duong-den-nhat-ban-post744944.html