The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the federal government has signed a $3.6-billion contract with European aviation company Airbus SE to replace its aging Polaris transport planes, one of which is used by high-ranking government officials including the Prime Minister and Governor-General. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says that in addition to the VIP service, the Royal Canadian Air Force uses the Polaris planes for air-to-air refuelling and personnel transport. The fleet of five planes has been flown by the RCAF 437 transport squadron since 1992, and its lifespan is set to reach its end in 2027. The new fleet of planes, which will be named the CC-330 Husky, includes four new and five used aircraft. The government bought the used planes from a company in Kuwait. One of those will be painted in a way that is similar to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's current plane, and it is expected to be delivered this summer. The aging Polaris fleet has caused issues for Mr. Trudeau throughout his time in office. A problem in October, 2016, required the aircraft to return to Ottawa 30 minutes after taking off with Mr. Trudeau, who was en route to Belgium to sign the Canada-Europe free-trade deal.