Own Correspondent|VICE President Constantino Chiwenga’s chartered plane is a specialised flying hospital, it has been revealed.

The aircraft which Chiwenga chartered reportedly cost US$500 000 to India and back to Zimbabwe. The plane is a Boeing 737-700 owned by Royal Jets of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The plane has an Intensive Care Unit which can take up to three ICU patients, and also has a specialised health team on board.

Among other services that it offers, Royal Jet says on its website: “Our medical flight team includes experts in the fields of cardiology, paediatrics, neonatal and intensive care, and is supported by the most advanced medical technology, according to a report by ZimLive.

“The dedicated Medevac fleet includes a fully customisable Boeing Business Jets, capable of reaching even the most distant destinations.”

Yesterday, the Boeing 737 A6-RJX was preparing to take off for Zimbabwe at the Indira Ghandi International Airport (IGIA) when it developed a snag.

“It taxied off at 7PM for take off to Zimbabwe. However, immediately afterwards it developed a mechanical snag and returned back to the terminal at 7.45 PM.

“The non-scheduled flight was operating with a call sign RO-J005. The Boeing 737-700 is over two decades old,” the Times of India said in a report.

Chiwenga is with his wife Mary as well as senior government officials.

He has been in India since 9 February receiving medical attention. He was whisked away after his health deteriorated.