Trump Commissions Interim Jet Amid Air Force One Delays

Frustrated by years of delays and mounting costs in Boeing’s $3.9 billion Air Force One replacement project, President Donald Trump has commissioned Florida-based L3Harris to retrofit a Boeing 747 previously owned by the Qatari government as an interim presidential aircraft. Boeing’s delivery timeline for the two new Air Force One jets has slipped from an original 2024 target to as late as 2035, due to wiring, structural, workforce, and supplier complications. Trump has demanded regular progress updates and hopes to have the interim plane available as soon as fall 2024, though it will lack the full suite of security and communications features of the classic Air Force One. The selection of the Qatari 747, reportedly admired by Trump for its luxury, reflects an urgent need and a willingness to compromise on traditional capabilities. Trump has publicly considered legal action against Boeing and has involved figures like Elon Musk to seek faster solutions. While the interim jet will meet immediate needs, the search for a permanent, fully equipped replacement continues amid ongoing doubts about Boeing’s reliability.