US President Donald Trump is angry with Boeing, which has never managed to deliver replacements for the 35-year-old 747-200 "Air Force One" jets. Ordered during his first term in 2017, he ordered the aircraft manufacturer to stick to a budget of just $4 billion. Boeing indicated that it was impossible to stick to such a budget, but agreed to assume responsibility for the additional costs. Unfortunately for him, the lack of resources led him to push back the delivery date from 2022 to December 2024, and then to a later date.
Back at the White House, Donald Trump decided to find a temporary solution for the future presidential 747-8s, while waiting for Boeing to deliver. Determined to fly a new Air Force One, the US president has chosen to finance the purchase and refurbishment of a Global Jet 747, originally manufactured by Boeing for a Qatari order. The interim solution will involve the Air Force working with defense contractor L3Harris to refurbish the aircraft and bring it up to the safety standards of a US presidential jet.
Boeing's proposal for delivery before the end of Trump's term
The announcement rocked Boeing. During the House Armed Services Committee's latest hearing on the recent negotiations between the Air Force and Boeing on Wednesday, May 7, Darlene Costello, the Air Force's acting director of acquisitions, said that delivery of a new Air Force One was scheduled for 2027. She indicated that the aircraft manufacturer had attempted to negotiate a date in exchange for changes to the White House and Army requirements. These requirements would include a relaxation of safety standards requested for production, for employees involved in factories, and for monitoring.
It is not yet clear whether Donald Trump will abandon the idea of a temporary solution with the Qatari 747, if an agreement is reached with Boeing for the delivery of a new Air Force One in 2027. If deliveries are effective that year, then Donald Trump will still be able to benefit from it, as he will continue his mandate until 2028. We should know more in the coming weeks.
Source: Air Journal
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