President Donald Trump faced a minor mechanical issue on Air Force One while heading to Davos, Switzerland, but the White House stated that his assertion about the need for an updated presidential plane was validated.
“These minor mechanical problems confirm that President Trump was correct,” White House press secretary Anna Kelly mentioned. “The new Air Force One will be an asset for the U.S. Air Force, benefiting not just the President but the entire Air Force One crew.”
In May 2025, the Department of Defense officially received a 747 jetliner from Qatar, which will serve as the new Air Force One, set to replace the existing planes.
The new aircraft is anticipated to be operational in the summer of 2026, as reported by a publication on Wednesday. This comes after the Pentagon refurbished it and upgraded its security systems.
After Trump’s announcement regarding the acquisition of the jet from Qatar, both parties in Congress voiced concerns about potential espionage and constitutional issues associated with the gift.
An Air Force representative reassured that they are dedicated to fast-tracking the delivery of replacement aircraft by no later than summer 2026.
Notably, Air Force One encountered a “minor electrical issue” shortly after takeoff, leading to its return out of an abundance of caution, as reported by press secretary Caroline Leavitt. The aircraft’s lights reportedly went off about 45 minutes into the flight before returning to Maryland. Leavitt humorously remarked that the Qatari jets currently seemed “much better.”
Trump had just left Davos after participating in the World Economic Forum, where leaders from various sectors discuss global economic issues. His trip coincided with mounting pressure on European nations regarding a proposed deal to transfer Greenland from Denmark to the U.S.
The recent mechanical issue adds to the ongoing debate over the aging presidential aircraft, which Trump has criticized as outdated and in need of repairs, specifically pointing fingers at Boeing for delays in production.
During a press conference in May, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace of building the new Air Force One, emphasizing that the current plane is over 40 years old and not comparable to modern aircraft.
Boeing’s CEO acknowledged Trump’s frustrations regarding production speed and mentioned efforts to expedite the process. The first of the new aircraft is expected to arrive by mid-2028, according to the Air Force.
Trump has previously criticized the deal negotiated before his tenure for its cost, labeling it “out of control and over $4 billion.”
