Trump switches back to older Air Force One for Britain leg of trip

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would use an older Air Force One aircraft to travel from Turkey to Britain, in an unexpected change after recently unveiling a retrofitted Boeing 747 donated by Qatar as his new presidential plane.

According to Trump’s post on Truth Social, he would take the older aircraft to RAF Mildenhall in Britain ‘for old time’s sake’, while the newer plane would also go to the same base so US service members stationed there could tour it.

The Turkey visit had been the first overseas trip for the new aircraft. The plane is a Boeing 747 that Qatar gifted to the United States last year and that was later refitted by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies.

The aircraft has been repainted in a red, white, dark blue and gold colour scheme selected by Trump, replacing the design that Air Force One has used for decades.

Scrutiny over Qatari jet

The decision comes after months of scrutiny surrounding the luxury aircraft, which is intended to serve as an interim replacement while Boeing works to deliver delayed next-generation Air Force One planes.

Critics had raised concerns over the expense of the conversion, the speed of the retrofit and the aircraft’s security. Experts said the work required security enhancements, upgraded communications systems to prevent eavesdropping, and missile defence capabilities.

Democratic lawmakers have estimated that converting the aircraft cost more than $1 billion, while also warning of security risks. Some experts also voiced concern that the rapid pace of the upgrades may have left the aircraft less secure than the existing Air Force One planes.

The Air Force’s accelerated effort to prepare the plane omitted some of the planned modifications that had originally been envisioned for the next-generation presidential aircraft, with the aim of delivering an interim version more quickly.

Officials, however, have said the aircraft still meets presidential standards. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the service had “meticulously evaluated every requirement” while trying to speed up delivery.

Boeing delays continue

A second aircraft capable of operating as Air Force One remains on standby during presidential travel.

The Qatari aircraft is being used as a bridge plane while Boeing continues work on two purpose-built 747-8 aircraft under a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract signed in 2018.

That programme is now four years behind schedule, with delivery not expected until mid-2028. The delay could leave Trump without a new US-built aircraft before his term ends in January 2029.

The Boeing programme’s cost has risen to more than $5 billion, and the company has taken billions of dollars in charges linked to the project.