Qatari 747 will be ready to fly as Air Force One this summer : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. Air Force has completed modifications and testing on a Boeing 747 jet donated by Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One, with plans for President Trump to use it this summer.
- The jet is being painted in red, white, and blue and will serve as a "bridge" until new Air Force One planes, expected in 2028, are delivered by Boeing.
- The $400 million Qatari jet features luxurious accommodations, but security details remain unclear, with concerns about whether it matches the hardened features of the current Air Force One planes.
- The current Air Force One aircraft have been in service for nearly 40 years, and the new Boeing 747s have faced nearly a decade of delays due to subcontractor bankruptcy and staffing challenges.
- President Trump has criticized the delay and quality of Air Force One, defending the acceptance of the Qatari gift as a cost-saving measure and stating the plane will be donated to a future presidential library after his term.
