Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s £500m aircraft fleet including ‘Bandit’ which has the same security system as Air Force One
FORGET FlyBe, Roman Abramovich only does FlyBillionaire.
The Chelsea owner has an aircraft fleet of three that value at around £400million, and includes his customised jet nicknamed “Bandit”.
The drastically modified Boeing 767-33A ER owned by the Russian oligarch is based at the Harrods Aviation facility at London Stansted airport.
It was purchased in 2004, the year after Abramovich moved in to Stamford Bridge, after Hawaiian Airlines’ decided to cancel their order.
Abramovich stepped in and turned it into an aircraft fit for a president.
Not only because of the lavish decor inside but also due to the security system installed which has the same air missile avoidance system as Air Force One.
It’s not hard to miss either due to a bright colouring of white, grey and brown lines on the outside, but one key area gave the Boeing its nickname.
Slanting black stripes near the end of the cockpit windows make it resemble a mask and led to the plane being nicknamed “Bandit”.
PALACE IN THE SKY
Step inside and the aircraft has the feel of a palace in the sky.
A banquet hall which seats 30 people was installed along with a kitchen, office and bedroom with a double bed.
There are said to be precious metals and fine woods that create a stylish interior while the communication system is as modern as the security.
It’s not hard to miss either due to a bright colouring of white, grey and brown lines on the outside, but one key area gave the Boeing its nickname.
If Abramovich wants to go back to his roots, he may decide to jump in the Boeing Business Jet which was the first plane he bought.
It is a more modest aircraft, valued at a mere £66m, and was purchased when the Blues owner was working as governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
Abramovich discovered how inaccessible the region was and decided buying his own plane was the solution.
And Abramovich’s final option of flying is the Boeing 767-300 which is valued at around £55m – cheaper than Alvaro Morata – before any modifications are made.
It is said to have chestnut interiors and elements of gold throughout.