WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a Boeing 747-8 jet donated by Qatar that has been modified to serve as an interim Air Force One, U.S. officials said.
The aircraft, originally part of the Qatari royal fleet, was gifted to the United States last year and underwent extensive modifications by L3Harris Technologies to meet presidential transport requirements, including secure communications systems. It arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland ahead of its formal integration into the presidential fleet.
The donation, valued at about $400 million, addresses delays in Boeing's delivery of new VC-25B aircraft intended to replace the aging VC-25A planes that have served as Air Force One for more than three decades, according to the U.S. Air Force. The Qatari jet is expected to operate temporarily until the new replacements are completed in roughly two years.
Trump, speaking at the unveiling event, described the plane as featuring a level of luxury previously unseen. "Never been a plane like this ever built," he said, according to reports from the event. The aircraft has been repainted in a red, white, dark blue and gold livery selected by the president, departing from the traditional blue and white scheme.
Qatar offered the aircraft as an unconditional gift, with the U.S. government covering the costs of retrofitting for security and operational needs. Details of the exact modification expenses remain subject to official reporting.
The move has drawn scrutiny from some lawmakers and ethics experts over the acceptance of such a substantial gift from a foreign government. Critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy, have questioned whether it complies with constitutional provisions regarding foreign emoluments, while the White House has maintained that the arrangement meets national security requirements and applicable rules.
The U.S. Air Force has stated that the plane will undergo commissioning flights before entering service. It is slated to participate in a ceremonial flyover over Washington on July 4 to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Plans call for the aircraft to eventually transfer to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation near the end of Trump's second term, officials have indicated.
The development reflects ongoing efforts to maintain presidential air transport capabilities amid production delays for the next-generation fleet.
