Ontario to sell $29 million Challenger 650 private jet days after purchase
April 21, 2026
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford will need to sell a second-hand 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 private jet purchased for CA$29 million (US$21 million) just days after buying it, following intense political and public backlash.
The government of Ontario confirmed it will work with Bombardier to find a new buyer for the aircraft “as quickly as possible.”
A swift jet thrust reversal after backlash
The province had acquired a used 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 for the premier’s official travel. The acquisition of the aircraft was announced only last Friday.
The private jet quickly became a political flashpoint, with opposition parties criticising the timing and expense as Ontarians face a sharp rise in the cost of living.
The Premier’s office disagreed with labelling the aircraft as a private jet. “It’s a plane for government business only,” the office said in a statement to Global News Canada, while not responding to questions on whether the aircraft would be used exclusively by Ford.
Ford acknowledged the criticism and opted to change course.
“Despite the best of intentions… now is not the right time,” he said in a statement issued on Sunday, confirming plans to sell the aircraft.
An unsatisfactory “emergency landing” for Ford’s “gravy plane”
The private jet reversal has not satisfied Ford’s staunchest critics. As reported by Northeast Now, interim Liberal leader John Fraser labelled the jet as Ford’s “gravy plane.”
“Now, only after intense backlash, he’s scrambling to sell his gravy plane,” Northwest Now quotes Fraser as saying. “But it could easily be sold at a loss and sit on the books as a liability for taxpayers for months.”
As Global News Canada reported, New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles labelled Ford’s decision to sell the jet as an “emergency landing” amidst the public fallout.
“Today we heard that Doug Ford has done an emergency landing, I guess, reversing the decision to hold on to his luxury plane and instead apparently the government’s now going to try to sell it off,” Stiles said. “Obviously, this should never have happened in the first place.”
About the Premiere’s Bombardier Challenger 650
The Bombardier Challenger 650 is a large-cabin business jet manufactured in Canada, and used by corporate flight departments, charter operators, and governments alike.
Core specifications
- Typical seating: 10–12 passengers (can be configured up to ~12–14)
- Range: ~4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km)
- Cruise speed: ~Mach 0.82 (around 870 km/h)
- Engines: Twin General Electric CF34 engines
- Flight crew: 2 pilots
Cabin and onboard features
The Challenger 650 is designed for long-range comfort, with interior features including:
- Stand-up cabin with flat floor
- Club-style seating with conference table
- Fully equipped galley
- Enclosed lavatory
- High-speed connectivity and in-flight entertainment systems
- Large windows for natural light
The history of Ford’s short-lived private Bombardier Challenger 650
While the government of Ontario has not disclosed the jet’s details, ch-aviation has identified it as a Challenger 650 (msn 6063), built in 2016 and registered in Canada as C-FBBW. The acquisition was handled through ACASS Canada, and the aircraft was not yet registered to the Ontario government when the controversial announcement of the purchase was made.
It had previously been registered in Brazil as PS-GSI and was owned and operated by Simpar as a corporate jet.
Ford’s jet would have marked a historic return of a Bombardier jet into service for Ontario’s government, following a 43-year gap.
“The province previously owned a Challenger 600, acquired in 1982 under Premier Bill Davis’s Tory government,” ch-aviation reports. “The purchase sparked political controversy and led to the aircraft’s sale a year later.”
Once again, the Ontario Premier’s office will need to coordinate alternate transportation.
Featured Image: stfoto2602 | stock.adobe.com
