a question posed by the Democratic Alliance's Sheik Shahid Esau in Parliament. Number of flights made by politicians on 21 Squadron Jacob Zuma Kgalema Motlanthe Thabo Mbeki Lindiwe Sisulu The following information was disclosed in response to another question posed to Sisulu by Advocate L H Max of the Democratic Alliance. All VIP flight information has since been made classified for security reasons. Shadow aircraft incident In 2012 it was found that two aircraft had followed Jacob Zuma's Boeing BBJ flight into John F Kennedy International Airport. The aircraft were using SAAF callsigns. The aircraft were a Bombardier Global Express and a South African Airways Airbus A340. In response to the reports, then Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano said that the aircraft followed to ensure that the president could make it to an important meeting after his New York visit. The Democratic Alliance said that Sisulu should take responsibility and explain why the aircraft were used. Acquisition of new aircraft In 2012 plans were announced to acquire a new Boeing 777 VIP aircraft for the SAAF in a R2 billion deal. The order was cancelled after the offer had lapsed. In 2015, Armscor opened the tender process for a new VIP aircraft for use by the president. Analysts speculated that an aircraft meeting Armscor's specifications could cost R4 billion. Accidents and incidents On 26 May 1971, during a practice flypast for the Republic Day celebrations (31 May), three HS-125s crashed into Devil's Peak. All on board were killed. The accident was attributed to low visibility due to bad weather conditions. In 2009, the aircraft carrying Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe made an emergency landing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as it was running low on fuel. There were no injuries. In 2011, the aircraft carrying Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe made a precautionary landing in New Zealand due to a warning light activating, caused by a faulty sensor in the aircraft. Also in 2011, mechanical difficulties on an aircraft intended to be used by the Deputy President caused the planned official visits to Finland, Sweden and Denmark to be cancelled. See also Air transports of heads of state and government References Squadrons of the South African Air Force Military units and formations in Pretoria Military units and formations established in 1941