Trump Expresses Discontent with Boeing Over Air Force One Deal.
US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing regarding a contract for the construction of two new Air Force One aircraft, which is experiencing delays.
While aboard one of the 35-year-old presidential planes currently in operation, Trump indicated that he is exploring alternative options due to the prolonged timeline for Boeing to complete the aircraft.
The agreement for the two upgraded versions of the presidential plane, which are based on the contemporary Boeing 747-8, was established during Trump's initial term in office.
"No, I'm not happy with Boeing. It takes them a long time to do, you know, Air Force One, we gave that contract out a long time ago," Trump said.
"We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something."
When inquired about the possibility of purchasing new aircraft from Airbus, Boeing's European competitor, Trump responded, "No, I would not consider Airbus over Boeing, but I could buy one that was used and convert it."
This statement follows Trump's recent visit to a 13-year-old Boeing 747-800, previously owned by the Qatari royal family, which was stationed at Palm Beach International Airport.
The new Boeing aircraft were originally scheduled for delivery in 2024; however, the manufacturer has since postponed the delivery timeline to 2027 or 2028.
During his initial term as president, Trump compelled the aircraft manufacturer to renegotiate its contract, deeming the original agreement excessively costly.
This contract has already resulted in significant financial losses for Boeing.
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Equipping the aircraft for presidential purposes incurs substantial expenses, necessitating the installation of highly classified and intricate communication, safety, and accessibility systems.
The previous year proved to be extremely challenging for Boeing. The aerospace behemoth recorded a loss of $11.8 billion (£9.4 billion) throughout 2024, marking its most significant deficit since 2020, a year when the aviation sector was severely impacted by the Covid pandemic.
During the final quarter of December, a period marked by strikes that disrupted operations, the company incurred a loss of $3.8 billion.
In addition to the widely reported difficulties within its commercial aircraft division, Boeing encountered complications with several defense programs as well.
Trump’s dissatisfaction with Boeing over the Air Force One contract raises significant concerns about the future of the project and the company’s financial stability. The ongoing delays and increasing costs only add to Boeing’s existing struggles, including the substantial losses it faced last year.
With the delivery timeline pushed to 2027 or 2028, the uncertainty surrounding the project could further erode confidence in Boeing’s ability to meet high-profile contracts. As a result, both the military and taxpayers may face the burden of higher costs or compromised quality. Boeing’s difficulties signal troubling times ahead for the aerospace giant and its stakeholders.
