(SeaPRwire) – The U.S. Air Force has completed the modification and testing of a Boeing 747 jet, which was a donation from Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One. The service announced late Friday that the aircraft is expected to be ready for President Donald Trump’s use this summer.
The jet is currently undergoing a paint job in red, white, and blue, according to a news release from the Air Force.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the luxury jet a year ago, despite concerns raised about the ethics and legality of accepting a costly gift from a foreign country, as well as security and cyber intelligence issues. President Trump has defended the donation as a measure to save taxpayer money.
President Trump has stated that he will not fly on the aircraft after his term concludes. Instead, he indicated that the plane would be given to a future presidential library, similar to how President Ronald Reagan’s Boeing 707 was retired and displayed as a museum piece.
Air Force officials have stated that the former Qatari jet will serve as a “bridge” until Boeing is prepared to deliver two new aircraft, which is now anticipated in 2028.
The two aircraft currently serving as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades, and President Trump is eager for their replacement. During his first term, he presented a model of a new jumbo jet in the Oval Office, featuring a revised paint scheme that resembled the red, white, and dark blue design of his personal plane.
Boeing has been retrofitting 747s that were originally built for a now-defunct Russian airline. However, this program has experienced nearly a decade of delays due to various issues, including the bankruptcy of a key subcontractor and difficulties in finding and retaining qualified personnel who could obtain high-level security clearances.
The new planes are not expected to be completed until near the end of President Trump’s term, and he has expressed his impatience with the situation. He has characterized the situation as “a total mess” and has complained that Air Force One is not as impressive as the aircraft used by some Arab leaders.
The Qatari plane, valued at $400 million, has been described as a “palace in the sky,” boasting luxurious accommodations and premium finishes.
However, security is the paramount consideration for presidential travel. The current Air Force One planes were constructed from the ground up near the end of the Cold War. They are fortified against the effects of a nuclear blast and incorporate a range of security features, such as anti-missile countermeasures and an onboard operating room. They are also equipped with air-to-air refueling capabilities for contingencies, although these have never been utilized with a president on board.
It remains unclear which security capabilities have been incorporated into the former Qatari jet. The Air Force has not disclosed the cost of the modifications, but lawmakers suggested last year that these costs could exceed $1 billion.
Air Force officials reported that they leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air between October and February to allow pilots to familiarize themselves with the latest variant. The U.S. has also acquired two jets from the German carrier Lufthansa for training and spare parts. Boeing ceased production of the 747 in 2023.
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