Originally Posted by Chris T

I think we need to bear in mind that the President of the US is head of State as well as head of government. Airforce One is a statement of the power of the American state.

Blair is not head of state, but head of government only. He is the Queen's Prime Minister. I am all for us having dedicated aircraft as a statement of British influence in the world, but any such aircraft should be constituted as a modern-day Royal Flight and used by Ministers of the Crown as and when required. We should not be setting up staus symbols that give even the impression that the PM is more important than the monarch. Let's not forget that even Number 10 is a grace-and-favour house that belongs to the Crown.