New Zealand PM's Aging Plane Raises Concerns Amidst China Relations
New Zealand's Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, was accompanied by an empty backup plane during his trade delegation to China due to concerns over the reliability of the aging Boeing 757 known as "Betty." The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes, which are about 30 years old, have a history of breakdowns and are due to be replaced by 2030. While officials claim there haven't been any midair incidents, political rivals criticized the situation, highlighting the government's climate emergency declaration and its relationship with China. Acting PM Carmel Sepuloni acknowledged the need for updated aircraft but stated that plans for replacement are not currently underway.