Currently reading: GM under pressure over jet use

General Motors removes its corporate jets from flight tracking services

General Motors has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to remove its seven corporate jets from flight tracking services.

The move comes after US law makers criticised GM bosses for using corporate jets while the company faces crisis. It would make it impossible to see when and where the planes are being used.

“We availed ourselves of the option - as others do - to have the aircraft removed from the tracking service,” said GM spokesman Greg Martin yesterday.

Data recorded on flight tracking services, publicly available on websites like flightaware.com, revealed that GM CEO Rick Wagoner flew from Detroit to Washington on a Gulfstream jet to request a $25 billion (£16.5bn) bailout from the US government.

It also revealed that GM execs had made 10 trips to Washington this year by private plane while crisis talks were unfolding.

Four of GM’s fleet of seven private planes have since been put up for sale.

Will Powell

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julianphillips 1 December 2008

Re: GM under pressure over jet use

In a country where John Travolta owns a 747 and various other planes, GM look positively frugal!!

julianphillips 1 December 2008

Re: GM under pressure over jet use

I can understand the backlash but frankly am surprised that they only have seven.

ordinary bloke 1 December 2008

Re: GM under pressure over jet use

Corporate jets are a tool that allows a senior executive to travel long-distances as quickly as possible whilst still working and keeping in touch with the business. Isn't that a better deal than having him go through the trauma of commercial airports ? It makes particularly good sense in a country like the US. Criticism by the law-makers in Washington, really comes down to jealousy that they don't have the same option. My guess is that if they did not have corporate jets to use they would be criticised for that as well, for not making best use of their time and facilities.