President Donald Trump has expressed his frustration with Boeing’s delays in delivering new Air Force One aircraft, suggesting that he might consider purchasing used planes to serve as presidential aircraft. This revelation comes as the current Boeing 747-200 aircraft, which are nearly 35 years old, continue to be used for presidential travel.

The President’s comments were made while he was aboard one of the current Air Force One aircraft. “We’re looking at alternatives, because it’s taking Boeing too long,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “We may go and buy a plane,” Trump said, adding that he could then “convert it.”

“I would not consider Airbus. I could buy one from another country perhaps or get one from another country.”

– Donald Trump

Boeing has a contract to produce updated versions of the presidential aircraft, based on the more modern Boeing 747-8. However, the delivery has been delayed, and the aircraft maker has lost billions of dollars on the deal, which was negotiated during Trump’s first term in office.

The delays are not solely due to the aircraft themselves but also the extensive modifications required to meet the stringent security and operational needs of presidential travel. These modifications include highly classified communications equipment, survivability enhancements, and self-contained air-stairs for use in austere landing environments.

Initially, the delivery of the new planes, known as the VC-25B, was set for 2024. However, the U.S. Air Force has pushed the timeline to 2027 for the first plane and 2028 for the second, which coincides with Trump’s final year in office if he were to be re-elected.

Trump recently toured a newer Boeing 747-800 aircraft to inspect new hardware and technology features. The White House stated that the visit highlighted Boeing’s delay in delivering the updated versions of Air Force One. The aircraft Trump toured was a 13-year-old private jet previously owned by the Qatari royal family and parked at Palm Beach International Airport.

The New York Times first reported that Trump was considering purchasing and modifying used aircraft to serve as new presidential aircraft. This move, if executed, would be unprecedented in recent U.S. history and could set a new precedent for presidential travel.

Critics argue that purchasing used aircraft could lead to further complications and delays, as the modifications required for presidential use are extensive and costly. Additionally, the security and operational standards for presidential aircraft are among the highest in the world, making the conversion process highly complex.

However, proponents of the idea point out that buying used aircraft could potentially save taxpayer money in the short term. The cost of purchasing and modifying a used aircraft could be less than the billions of dollars already lost by Boeing on the current contract.

Regardless of the outcome, the situation highlights the challenges and complexities involved in maintaining and upgrading the presidential fleet. The current delays and potential alternatives underscore the need for a robust and reliable fleet to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the president’s travel.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of Air Force One is a topic of significant interest and importance to both the public and policymakers alike.