New VIP aircraft for Poland - Embraer 175 SP-LIG

The Polish Prime Minister Mr Tusk flew for the first time on board the new Polish Government VIP jet SP-LIG on 9th June 2010.

After the fatal accident of the Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M serial 101 the Polish Government has leased an Embraer ERJ-175 from LOT Polish Airlines registration SP-LIG c/n 17000283.

This aircraft was delivered brand new to LOT from Embraer in Brazil in October 2009. It was repainted into the Polish Government white/red VIP colour scheme in May 2010 with Republic of Poland titles - note that this aircraft does not carry the Polish Air Force square military symbol as previous VIP jets have. The aircraft is operated with a LOT flight crew.

The Polish Air Force still has one other VIP Tupolev TU-154 which is currently in Russia undergoing deep maintenance. They also still operate several Soviet era Yak-40 jets but these are 30 years old.

A new VIP aircraft type has been under discussion for several years prior to the fatal crash of "101" in April 2010 at Smolensk, Russia.

A second Embraer ERJ-175 is also to be leased too - the lease contract for both aircraft will run until 2013

Mr Tusk flew on the new VIP jet to a European Union meeting in Brussels.

External LINK to photo of SP-LIG in the new VIP colour scheme

Steve