The new American presidential plane is clearly not yet fully ready for the most sensitive missions. Donald Trump announced on Friday that the aircraft gifted by Qatar to the United States would be sent in October for a new series of works aimed notably at strengthening its security. The grounding is expected to last about 60 days, significantly longer than the one-month period initially mentioned by the American president.
This announcement comes after a particularly embarrassing episode that occurred in Turkey in July. During the NATO summit, Donald Trump had last minute decided not to use this aircraft to leave the country, opting instead for another plane. The situation then took an even more unusual turn with the discreet use of a third aircraft, against the backdrop of Iranian threats. The White House has not detailed the exact nature of the flaws or the improvements now planned.
Officially, Washington assures that the planes used by the president remain “safe and reliable.” An American official explained that presidential transport means regularly undergo technical updates when the situation requires it. But the announced duration for these new works inevitably raises questions about the real level of readiness of the Qatari plane.
A gift that continues to spark controversy
The aircraft itself has been at the center of controversy for several months. It was gifted to the United States by the Qatari royal family following repeated criticisms by Donald Trump regarding the condition of the two traditional presidential Boeings, in service since 1990. Valued at several hundred million dollars, this gift immediately raised questions about the ethical and constitutional rules governing gifts from foreign governments.
The US Air Force then transformed and refitted the jet to allow its presidential use starting July 1. To meet this particularly tight schedule, some compromises were necessary, notably concerning the interior layout. The US military then assured that no concessions had been made on security, safety, or communications.
A few weeks later, the prospect of a new two-month grounding gives a different dimension to this operation. It is not necessarily proof of a major flaw, but rather a sign that quickly transforming a very high-level civilian plane into a true military presidential aircraft is a much more complex undertaking than a simple interior change.
Meanwhile, the Qatari plane must ensure part of the presidential travels, as the two future Boeings intended to become the next Air Force One accumulate delays. Donald Trump will therefore continue to travel with a provisional presidential fleet, in an international context where threats against the United States and its president impose particularly high security requirements. For an aircraft presented as “the best presidential plane ever built,” the work starting in October is above all a new full-scale test.
