Ford Folds on “Gravy Plane”: Ontario Sells $28.9M Jet Back to Bombardier

In a major tactical retreat, Premier Doug Ford announced on Wednesday that the Ontario government has offloaded its controversial $28.9 million private jet, selling it back to Bombardier for the original purchase price.

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The move follows a week of intense public and political pressure over what critics labeled an unnecessary luxury.

The Rapid Reversal

• The Buyback: Ford confirmed the province “gave it back” to the manufacturer, claiming the transaction was a wash and that taxpayers wouldn’t lose a cent.
• Public Pressure: Opponents quickly branded the 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 the “gravy plane,” arguing the purchase was tone-deaf amidst a provincial affordability crisis.
• Utility Issues: Beyond the optics, the jet faced a major logistical hurdle: it required a runway length that made it unable to land at roughly 90% of Ontario’s airports, undermining its stated purpose of reaching remote northern communities.

The Premier’s Defense

While Ford acknowledged the public’s disapproval, he didn’t go quietly. He defended the original intent—securing safe travel for trade missions and northern visits—while hitting back at what he called a “double standard.”

Ford compared his situation to Prime Minister Mark Carney and other premiers, specifically noting that Quebec maintains a larger fleet of government aircraft without similar scrutiny.

What’s Next?

The aircraft was slated to enter service this July. Instead, it heads back to Bombardier’s inventory, leaving the provincial government to rely on its existing travel arrangements for the foreseeable future.