Trump complains over Boeing’s Air Force One delays, rules out Airbus replacement

President Donald Trump has publicly aired his grievances with US planemaker Boeing over delivery delays to the arrival of two new Air Force One jets. 

While travelling on a current Air Force One plane on February 19, 2025, President Trump told reporters he was “not happy with Boeing” and that the White House may instead “buy a plane or get a plane, or something”.  

“It takes them a long time to do, you know, Air Force One, we gave that contract out a long time ago,” President Trump complained. 

Reuters reported that a Trump official said on February 18, 2025, that the project could be delayed until 2029, or even later.  

Although President Trump, who gave the go-ahead for the new jets during his first term in office, was clearly unhappy, he ruled out turning to Boeing’s European rival. 

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

Two Boeing 747-8 planes, collectively called VC-25B, are currently being modified but it had been expected that the first new aircraft would be delivered in September 2026, with the second arriving in 2027 or early 2028. 

In July 2024, Ted Colbert, the Head of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, admitted that the company was grappling with supply chain, inflation, and workforce challenges. 

Air Force One is customized extensively to meet the US president’s specific needs. This includes advanced navigation systems, defensive capabilities, and facilities for high-level meetings and secure communications. 

The aircraft features advanced defensive systems and countermeasures to protect against various threats, including missile attacks and electronic warfare. 

The US Air Force currently operates two Boeing VC-25 aircraft, which are modified Boeing 747-200B models delivered in 1990. 

Delays to the new Air Force One jets has reportedly cost Boeing over $2 billion.  

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