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It may not come as a surprise that some of the world's most powerful leaders, business tycoons, and monarchs travel by private jets and extravagant aircrafts. However, some have entire fleets at their disposal which, for some, cost up to $1 billion (£786 million).
Air Charter Service, which specialises in charters and private jets for heads of state and high profile individuals, has put together an analysis of the aircrafts owned and used by 13 of the most influential leaders in the world.
Using research from its 20 global offices, the study reveals the fleets heads of state travel with, their estimated value, as well as facts about their interiors and security features.
While some of the world's most powerful certainly opt for the height of luxury, the study shows that not all of the fleets are quite so ostentatious.
From the $1.5 billion (£1.2 billion) fleet of the Qatari royal family to the more modest choices of the General Secretary of China's Communist Party and Xi Jinping, scroll down for a look at the air travel habits of the most powerful leaders, monarchs, and billionaires in the world. The list is ranked in ascending order by estimated cost of their fleet or most expensive aircraft.
10. Queen Elizabeth II — £78.6 million.
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The Queen of England, members of the Royal family and Great Britain’s government rely upon the 32nd squadron of the United Kingdom to get around.
These include two AW109 helicopters for travelling distances under 1,000 kilometres, six BAE-125 airplanes with a flight range up to 3,000 kilometres, as well as four mid-sized reactive BAE-146 airplanes. Queen Elizabeth II also has a personal helicopter, Sikorsky S-76 Spirit, as part of the Royal Household.
The total cost of the 32nd squadron fleet of the United Kingdom is estimated to be around $100 million (£78.6 million).
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Until recently, the Royal Family leased ordinary Boeing 747s or Boeing 777s from British Airways or Virgin Atlantic for travelling long distances. Currently, the royal family can be transported by Royal Air Force airplanes and helicopters for important events.
9. Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah — £170 million.
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The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has a private jet — an Airbus A340-212— nicknamed the "Flying Palace." It cost the prince £80 million, and an additional £95 millon to modernise.
Its makeover included the addition of a luxurious cabin decorated with precious metals, gems, and valuable wood, as well as the instalment of the additional fuel tanks, increasing the non-stop flight range of his personal air force to 15,000 kilometres.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider