‘Minor electrical issue’ on Air Force One delays Trump Davos visit
Donald Trump’s presidential plane was forced to turn back shortly after leaving for Switzerland, where he will address world leaders on Wednesday.
Air Force One was grounded due to a “minor electrical issue,” according to the White House. Journalists traveling with the president also said that the lights in the press booth went out briefly.
The plane returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, and Trump departed for Switzerland on another plane.
The president is expected to arrive in Davos, where he will give a speech at the World Economic Forum, about three hours after the scheduled 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT).
The Air Force passenger fleet currently has two Boeing 747-200B series in use since 1990.
Aircraft have been upgraded, but the costs of airframe and engine maintenance are increasing.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction. Last year, management said it was “exploring alternatives” to Boeing after repeated delays in the delivery of two new planes.
In May, Washington was criticized for accepting a $400 million (£301 million) Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar as an “unconditional” gift, with all necessary refurbishment costs covered by the US government.
The White House insisted that taking the plane was legal and promised that it would be donated to Trump’s presidential library after he leaves office.
Trump’s Davos speech is currently scheduled for 14:30 (13:30 GMT). It’s unclear how the delay would affect his schedule, which includes meetings with other foreign leaders and receptions from business leaders.
Trump on Tuesday said he would use his speech to tell European leaders that “we have to have” Greenland as the diplomatic row widens over Trump’s threats to take Greenland.
The president insisted that the United States must seize Greenland for national security reasons, and did not rule out using military force to do so.
Their demands were rejected by Greenland’s leaders and NATO member Denmark, for whom the island is a semi-autonomous region.
European leaders also expressed opposition; Many people, including France, Sweden and Germany, sent military personnel to the region for exercises and security purposes.
Trump has since threatened some allies with additional trade tariffs if they oppose his plan.
