U.S. Presidential Plane For Sale While Malawi Presidential Jet Sells For $15 Million

Malawi President Joyce Banda has sold her predecessor's luxury presidential jet for $15 million to raise money for the impoverished country, Yahoo! News reports. A U.S. presidential jet that may have served as Air Force One for the president is also being auctioned off, but for $50,000 at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

The luxury jet was sold to a Virgin Islands company that outbid three other bidders for the 14-passanger plane bought by former President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last year. Mutharika bought the aircraft in 2009 for $22 million.

President Banda says she has no qualms about giving up the plane, The Telegraph reports. "I can well use private airlines. I am already used to hitchhiking," she added.

The Telegraph also reported that President Banda will sell 60 Mercedes Benz limousines in an effort to make some cash for the African nation's ailing economy.

Meanwhile, an auction is also being held for a presidential aircraft in the United States. According to the Associated Press, a blue and white DC-9 that was part of the Air Force Two fleet is being sold by the government. The U.S. General Services Administration also added that the plane may have served as Air Force One, the plane used by the president of the U.S.

The starting bid for the aircraft is $50,000 - a far cry from the $15 million Malawi jet. The auction finishes on May 30.

The Associated Press said GSA has received numerous requests for the plane. GSA area property officer Randy Patterson said some want to take the jet for a spin, while others want to take advantage of the spare parts.