Trump unveils Qatar-gifted replacement for Air Force One

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Friday presented a replacement aircraft for Air Force One that was gifted by Qatar, describing it as a flying White House during an event at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington.

Speaking inside the plane’s hangar, Trump praised Qatar for providing the aircraft, which is valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The gift has drawn ethical, constitutional and security concerns. Trump has previously said it would be stupid to turn it down, and had also added that the plane would eventually be donated to his presidential library.

At the unveiling, Trump commended the work that went into refitting the jet and said the aircraft had been transformed to an exceptionally high standard. He also thanked Qatar’s emir and repeatedly pointed to the plane’s size and engines.

In his remarks, Trump said: "This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,"

He also said, "with the extraordinary devotion of many of you here today, this plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody’s ever seen before”."

Describing the interior, Trump added: "When you see it, you won’t believe it, actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines,"

He further said: "And I want to thank the emir of Qatar."

Interior features and appearance

A pool journalist who was permitted to tour the aircraft reported that the cabin includes leather seating, thick carpeting and wooden panelling. The walls were described as tan and light brown with gold tones. Among the patriotic decor was a framed print showing a duck swimming in the Reflecting Pool, a Washington site that Trump has sought to beautify.

Trump said the aircraft flies farther and faster than any Air Force One and added that it would likely take part in a flyover during July 4 events marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day.

Long-running effort to replace presidential aircraft

Trump has long focused on replacing the existing presidential aircraft, which have been in service since the 1990s, including during his first term. On Thursday, White House officials bid farewell to one of the two heavily modified Boeing 747s that have carried US presidents for decades, prompting speculation that the new jet would soon be revealed.

The outgoing aircraft had a blue-and-white exterior, while the newly unveiled plane has a white upper body, a red stripe and a navy blue underside. The aircraft uses the official call sign Air Force One whenever the US president is on board.

The US government separately has a contract with Boeing for two new 747-8 aircraft for the presidential fleet, but that programme has faced repeated delays and cost overruns.