US President Trump is having a Boeing 747-8 that used to fly for the Qatari royal family converted into a presidential aircraft. The jumbo jet, an interim solution until the much-delayed new Air Force One aircraft enter service, is expected to be put into service in the fall. Defense company L3Harris has been hired for the project, sources told the Wall Street Journal and Reuters news agency.

The aircraft would serve as a supplement to the two vintage Boeing 747-200s that currently fly as Air Force One. These aircraft now require a lot of maintenance due to their advanced age. Compared to the latter aircraft, the ex-Qatar 747 will have a lower security level and will therefore not be suitable for all presidential trips.

The US government has been having two other 747-8s converted by Boeing for years to replace the current Air Force One aircraft. However, that project has been delayed for many years, which means that they will now be delivered in 2029 at the earliest and, according to sources, probably not until next decade. Boeing is struggling with the complex safety systems and wiring, among other things.

Trump, whose second and final term runs until early 2029, is very frustrated about the delays and is said to have chosen the ex-Qatar 747 as an interim solution. But it is not just Trump's wish: the US Air Force has also wanted a third aircraft as a backup for the two regular Air Force One aircraft for some time.

The chosen plane already has a luxurious interior, but still needs adjustments to the security and communication systems. The Qatari Royal family flew the aircraft over to Miami so Trump could have a look.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)