Air Force says former Qatari 747 will be ready to fly as Air Force One this summer
The U.S. Air Force announced that a former Qatari 747, donated for use as a temporary Air Force One, will be ready for President Donald Trump this summer after modifications and testing. The jet is being painted in traditional red, white, and blue colors and will serve until new Boeing 747s are delivered in 2028. The current Air Force One planes are nearly 40 years old, and the new aircraft have faced significant delays.
- ▪The U.S. Air Force has completed modifications and testing on a former Qatari 747 to serve as a temporary Air Force One.
- ▪Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the jet despite ethical, legal, and security concerns about receiving such a gift from a foreign nation.
- ▪The Air Force did not disclose the cost of modifications, but lawmakers estimated it could exceed $1 billion.
- ▪President Trump defended the donation as a way to save taxpayer money and plans to donate the plane to a future presidential library.
- ▪Boeing's new Air Force One planes are not expected until 2028 due to delays from subcontractor bankruptcy and staffing challenges with security clearances.
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National Air Force says former Qatari 747 will be ready to fly as Air Force One this summer May 2, 20261:49 AM ET By The Associated Press President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Ocala International Airport, in Ocala Fla., Friday, May 1, 2026, after speaking at an event in The Villages, Fla. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption toggle caption Matt Rourke/AP The U.S. Air Force has finished modifying and testing a Boeing 747 jet donated by Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One and expects to have it ready for President Donald Trump to use this summer, the service announced late Friday. Politics Graphics: Here's what it will take to transform the Qatari jet into Air Force One The jet is currently being painted red, white and blue, the Air Force said in a news release.
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