Trump returns to using the old Air Force One and leaves Qatar plane aside

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (8) that he will fly from Turkey to the United Kingdom in an older version of Air Force One, in an unexpected move that raised doubts about a refurbished Boeing 747, donated by Qatar, which he had unveiled just a few weeks ago as his new presidential plane.

The trip to Türkiye was Trump's first international trip on the new plane.

The move comes after months of scrutiny over the luxury gift, intended to serve as a temporary replacement while Boeing struggles to deliver next-generation Air Force One planes, which have long been delayed for delivery.

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Critics have questioned the cost, safety and pace of modernization.

Trump said on Truth Social that he would use an older model of Air Force One "for nostalgia's sake" to fly to RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom while the new aircraft visits the same base so that American military personnel stationed there can visit the aircraft.

The new aircraft is a Boeing 747 donated to the United States by Qatar last year and refurbished by defense company L3Harris Technologies.

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The jumbo aircraft was painted in the red, white, dark blue and gold colors chosen by Trump, marking a change from the traditional design used on Air Force One for decades.

The acceptance of the Qatari jet raised questions. Adapting the luxury plane required security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent clandestine eavesdropping and missile defense capabilities, according to experts.

Democratic lawmakers estimated the conversion cost more than $1 billion and increased security risks. The upgrades were completed so quickly that some experts have expressed concern that the aircraft may not be as safe as the current Air Force One aircraft.

A second aircraft capable of operating as Air Force One is always on standby during presidential trips.

The U.S. Air Force's accelerated effort to prepare the jet skipped some modifications originally planned for the next-generation presidential aircraft in order to deliver an interim version sooner.

Officials said the aircraft still meets presidential standards, with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink saying the agency "meticulously evaluated all requirements" as it worked to expedite delivery.

The Qatari jet is serving as a transition aircraft as Boeing works to deliver two purpose-built 747-8s under a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract signed in 2018.

That program is now four years behind schedule, and delivery is not expected until mid-2028 - a delay that could leave Trump without a new U.S.-made aircraft before the end of his term in January 2029.

Boeing's program costs have grown to more than $5 billion, with the company recording billions of dollars in expenses related to the project.

Source: CNN