The Italian air force's 31st Wing is stepping up its VIP fleet modernisation plan following the recent delivery of two Dassault Falcon 900EXs.
The Wing is scheduled to take delivery of the first of two Airbus A319CJs late this year, and a second in August 2001.
The fate of the 31st Wing's McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and Gulfstream GIII aircraft will be decided by the middle of next year, according to the air force, which had originally proposed replacing the aircraft with the A319CJs and Falcon 900s.
The 31st Wing has sold a DC-9 following the damage it incurred during a ground collision with a Russian presidential aircraft earlier this. The remaining aircraft may be retained in the medium term as a military transporter.
Source: Flight International