The intimate relationship that developed between Qatar and Turkey in light of the Syrian crisis and Gulf tensions has assumed a new dimension, with a Boeing 747-8 that landed at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport on Sept. 12 set to join the fleet of VIP planes belonging to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The unequipped plane — said to have cost some $400 million — was purportedly a gift to Erdogan by Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. There is speculation that Turkey bought the plane, which was at first auctioned at the Basel-based AMAC Aerospace Group website. British newspapers had predicted sale of the plane for $500 million.

Opposition deputy of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Gamze Tascier raised the issue in parliament that at least $400 million was paid for the plane. Meanwhile, Turkey’s state-run TRT television reported that “the emir of Qatar had presented this specially equipped Boeing 747-8 out of his affection for Erdogan,” but it took Erdogan five days to finally say, “Qatar was selling this plane for about $500 million. We became interested. When the emir of Qatar heard of our interest, he donated the plane to Turkey. He said he won’t take money from Turkey. ‘I am giving it as a gift to Turkey,’ he said. That plane is not mine but belongs to the state of Turkey.”

Two basic questions need to be answered. First, if Turkey paid for the plane, then why is the government spending so much money on a luxury item in times of severe economic crises, at a time when measures are being discussed to save money and people are being asked to change their foreign currencies to Turkish liras, and when companies that increase prices are being punished? Erdogan didn’t need such an expensive, fancy plane; he already has 11 planes and three helicopters at his disposal.