Clive Palmer’s Cessna Citation for sale at $7m

It’ll set you back a lazy $7.35 million but it comes with an impressive pedigree: Clive Palmer’s private jet.

Clive Palmer on board his private jet. Picture: Jamie Hanson

It’ll set you back a lazy $7.35 million but it comes with an impressive pedigree. Clive Palmer’s private jet, a Cessna Citation parked on the Gold Coast where it has been stationary for four months, is for sale.

The jet, traditionally the most conspicuous symbol of wealth for those with the means to avoid slumming it with the hoi polloi, is being marketed with trimmings including “new paint with latest Cessna factory colour scheme”.

It comes with the aviation equivalent of personalised plates — registration letters on the tail of CFP, which stand for Clive Frederick Palmer — as well as eight leather-upholstered seats, and an excellent service and maintenance record. The aircraft’s cabin fittings — including door handles, sink and taps — are boldly gold-plated.

With an asking price of $US5.3m, the aircraft has the ­potential to inject a large chunk of capital into Mr Palmer’s businesses, which have cashflow problems, according to his ­lawyer.

One of the Palmer United Party founder’s pilots, who gave his name as Rob, confirmed to The Weekend Australian that he was looking after the sale of the 18-year-old jet, which is being marketed on an aviation website.

“There’s no secret about it. From my perspective, the aircraft is in excellent condition and it has been perfectly maintained to the very highest standards,’’ he said. “Mr Palmer operates a number of aircraft. This is the only one for sale now.”

The Cessna Citation X last flew on June 24 in a 70-minute hop from Sydney’s Bankstown Airport to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. It has a distinctive royal-looking crest near the cabin door, but Mr Palmer’s pilot said the decal “will be removed”.

Two other Palmer-controlled aircraft, known as MD-80s, are depreciating steadily, having been parked in the open for the past four years on a section of tarmac at one end of Brisbane Airport. They will need a costly maintenance and certification process before being permitted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to fly again.