Airbus says €45m jet makes economic sense

One of the five companies bidding to supply the Government jet says the €45m cost would be more economic than sending ministers or delegations by charter of flying business class.

David Velupillai, spokesperson for Airbus says the company's ACJ Corporate jet would give the Government better value for money than its rivals: "Our aircraft costs about the same as the business jet the government has today but we can carry large groups, we can carry 40 people on board," said Mr Velupillai.