Trump unveils new Air Force One, a $400 million plane gifted by Qatar

Washington — President Trump on Friday unveiled the Boeing 747-8 that will serve as the new Air Force One, providing the first look at Air Force One. 400 million dollar luxury plane Which the United States accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year.

Mr. Trump descended the steps of the giant jet inside the hangar at Joint Base Andrews, the military outpost outside Washington that has served as a presidential airport for decades. He greeted Air Force officials and made remarks to the crowd of soldiers.

“There will never be anything like this. This is very unique. This is considered the most luxurious aircraft in the world,” the president said. “When it was built, it was built to a level that will probably never be seen again.”

Mr. Trump said the hangar he spoke about would have to be custom-built to accommodate the new jet, which is much larger than the previous plane. He later added that the new version would lead a massive parade over Washington on July 4, the nation’s 250th birthday.

air force he said in a broadcast It was stated that the plane will soon begin “commissioning flights” and will undergo its “final test” before being used to carry the president.

“After receiving its new red, white and blue uniform and recent government changes, the aircraft entered service to provide critical, safe continuity for the commander in chief,” the Air Force said. he said.

The statement said the plane was “safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission.” The Air Force said it prioritized operational readiness over aesthetics and “modified the interior layout minimally.” This likely means the luxury trim, leather seats, and glossy wood paneling will remain intact.

The Air Force said it leased a 747-8 last year so pilots and maintenance crews could begin training on the new model. The training mission also included the acquisition of a 747-8 flown by Lufthansa. The Air Force said taxpayers were also on hand for a “full three-dimensional mock-up of the interior” so officials could “begin familiarization training” before the Qatari plane’s arrival.

The aircraft will replace the military-grade 747-2 that has served presidents for more than 30 years. Mr. Trump arrived home from Europe on the old jet on Thursday morning, and White House staff posted a farewell message to the aging plane on social media.

Mr. Trump rejected criticism that accepting a gift plane from a foreign government posed a conflict of interest or security risk. The administration spent the past year renovating the Qatar jumbo jet for presidential use.

“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars when we can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done,” Mr. Trump said. Posted on Truth Social last year. “Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our country.”

The President said the Qatar jet will be used until a new fleet of Boeing aircraft is delivered to the Air Force in 2028.

Regarding the removal of the planes from the presidential rotation, an Air Force spokesman said the planes “will soon join the active executive airlift fleet” that senior members of the government use for official travel.

A new Boeing 747-8 is worth approximately $400 million. The New York Times reported last year. Retrofitting the aircraft for the presidential fleet was also expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The Air Force secretary told a House panel last year that the price tag for the renovation would be “probably less than $400 million.”