MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Aerolineas Air One” instead of “Tango One”?

Antonio Mata, Spanish CEO of Argentina's flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas said that the company will willingly provide the Argentine presidency with an aircraft if “Tango One”, the official jet is seized abroad.

"It would be Aerolineas Air One," joked the executive during a press conference this Thursday in Buenos Aires when he released the company's 2003 financial statement and this year's investment plan.

Foreign defaulted bondholders who have rejected Argentina's proposal of a 75% face value cut in the sovereign documents are seizing Argentine government assets overseas.

"I don't think they will be going that far, seizing the "Tango One", but just in case we're getting a 747 ready in the event Argentine president Nestor Kirchner decides to travel on Aerolineas Argentinas", said Mr. Mata.

However Mr. Mesa was quick in stressing that the idea for President Kirchner to fly the national flag air carrier "is a unilateral proposal" and has not been discussed with the Kirchner administration.

"Our idea is to offer preventive medicine: to offer it before people ask. We offer services before they're requested," added Mr. Mata.

Aerolíneas CEO indicated that the company had notified the presidential office that "we are prepared to transport the president under the best possible conditions, with the best possible security".

"Tango One" is a Boeing 757-23A jetliner purchased in 1992 during President Carlos Menem's administration at a cost of 68 million US dollars.

Some foreign creditors filing suits against Argentina for failing to repay loans have suggested that the presidential plane is a good prize to be seized.