Honduras Delays Sale of Presidential Legacy 600
Honduras has delayed the auction of its presidential Legacy 600, FAH-001 (msn 14501041), amid an ongoing investigation into the aircraft’s acquisition, airworthiness, and ownership documentation. The aircraft, previously owned and operated by the Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Hondureña), was acquired in 2014 during the presidency of Juan Orlando Hernández. The current government, led by President Xiomara Castro, is conducting an appraisal to determine the aircraft’s value before proceeding with the planned public sale.
The delay comes as the Honduran Directorate of State Assets (Dirección Nacional de Bienes del Estado – DNBE) works to clarify the details of the acquisition. According to El Heraldo, the DNBE explained that the aircraft’s purchase occurred during a period of administrative obscurity, raising concerns about the legal mechanisms used for the transaction. The government has stated that before the Legacy 600 is sold, it is crucial to clarify its financing, ownership status, and current condition.
The Legacy 600, originally appraised at USD 14 million, was part of a controversial package acquired by the government in October 2014. Along with the jet, the Honduran government also received four UH-1H Bell helicopters donated by Taiwan. The purchase of the aircraft, which was intended for exclusive use by the president, sparked controversy and has been a focus of the investigation. This scrutiny intensified after Hernández, the president at the time, was convicted of drug trafficking and weapons conspiracy in the United States in March 2024.
The 16.6-year-old Legacy 600, which has a seating capacity for 13 passengers, is currently inactive and has not been used since the completion of the administration under Hernández. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, prior to its use by the Honduran Air Force, the aircraft operated with Empire Aviation (MJE) at Dubai International between April 2008 and December 2012. This further complicates the aircraft’s ownership and operational history.
The public auction of the Legacy 600 was a key promise made by President Xiomara Castro during her presidential campaign. The sale is part of the current government’s efforts to sell off assets deemed unnecessary for the country’s use. However, the process is now delayed until the investigation into the aircraft’s acquisition is completed and the proper legal and financial documentation is clarified.
Once the sale proceeds, it is expected that the Legacy 600 will be sold to the highest bidder. The aircraft’s fate is now in the hands of the Honduran government, which is working to resolve the issues surrounding its ownership and value before the auction can take place. The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear when the sale will proceed.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com