The Trump administration has officially accepted a Boeing 747 jet gifted to the US by the Qatari government, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday(May 21). Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the jet “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated to CNBC.The Department of Defence will ensure the aircraft meets “proper security measures and functional-mission requirements,” as President Donald Trump intends to use it as the new Air Force One.
Boeing is already working on converting two 747s under a contract established during Trump’s first term, but the project is behind schedule, and the aircraft may not be ready before the end of Trump’s second term.
Frustrated with delays, Trump administration officials previously explored alternatives, but whether the 13-year-old Qatari jet—valued at $400 million—can serve as a viable option remains unclear.Experts estimate that retrofitting the aircraft to meet Air Force One standards could cost taxpayers over $1 billion and take years to complete.
Boeing is already working on converting two 747s under a contract established during Trump’s first term, but the project is behind schedule, and the aircraft may not be ready before the end of Trump’s second term.
Frustrated with delays, Trump administration officials previously explored alternatives, but whether the 13-year-old Qatari jet—valued at $400 million—can serve as a viable option remains unclear.Experts estimate that retrofitting the aircraft to meet Air Force One standards could cost taxpayers over $1 billion and take years to complete.
On an April 23 quarterly call, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated, “We continue to work with the customer to revise the program plan to allow for an earlier first delivery while maintaining our focus on safety and quality.”
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