Latest news with #747-8s
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One for Trump
Retrofitting the luxury plane offered by Qatar's royal family will require significant security upgrades that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. PHOTO: AFP US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One for Trump WASHINGTON - The United States has accepted a 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar and the Air Force has been asked to find a way to rapidly upgrade it for use as a new Air Force One, the Pentagon said on May 21. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth accepted the US$400 million (S$500 million) Boeing-made jet for use as US President Donald Trump's official plane, the Pentagon said. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Defence Department 'will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered.' Legal experts have questioned the scope of laws relating to gifts from foreign governments that aim to thwart corruption and improper influence. Democrats have also sought to block the handover. Qatar has dismissed concerns about the aircraft deal. Mr Trump has also shrugged off ethical concerns, saying it would be 'stupid' not to accept the jet. Retrofitting the luxury plane offered by Qatar's royal family will require significant security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and the ability to fend off incoming missiles, experts say. That could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The precise costs were not known, but could be significant given the cost for Boeing's current effort to build two new Air Force One planes is over US$5 billion. The Air Force One programme has faced chronic delays over the last decade, with the delivery of two new 747-8s slated for 2027, three years behind the previous schedule. Boeing in 2018 received a US$3.9 billion contract to build the two planes for use as Air Force One, thought costs have since risen. Boeing has also posted US$2.4 billion in charges from the project. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One for Trump
By Phil Stewart and David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has accepted a 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar and the Air Force has been asked to find a way to rapidly upgrade it for use as a new Air Force One, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accepted the $400 million Boeing-made jet for use as U.S. President Donald Trump's official plane, the Pentagon said. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Defense Department "will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered." Legal experts have questioned the scope of laws relating to gifts from foreign governments that aim to thwart corruption and improper influence. Democrats have also sought to block the handover. Qatar has dismissed concerns about the aircraft deal. Trump has also shrugged off ethical concerns, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept the jet. Retrofitting the luxury plane offered by Qatar's royal family will require significant security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and the ability to fend off incoming missiles, experts say. That could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The precise costs were not known, but could be significant given the cost for Boeing's current effort to build two new Air Force One planes is over $5 billion. The Air Force One program has faced chronic delays over the last decade, with the delivery of two new 747-8s slated for 2027, three years behind the previous schedule. Boeing in 2018 received a $3.9 billion contract to build the two planes for use as Air Force One, thought costs have since risen. Boeing has also posted $2.4 billion in charges from the project.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Qatar Speaks Out on Giving Plane to Trump
A top Qatari official described the offer of a plane to President Donald Trump as a "government-to-government transaction" and not a personal gift as the US president visited the country in a high-profile Middle East tour. Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment. Trump sparked ethical and legal criticism after considering whether to accept the offer of the Boeing 747-8 to serve as Air Force One. Qatar's proposal also adds a new twist to a $3.9 billion saga that began in 2018, when Boeing fell behind schedule on an agreed delivery of two new custom 747-8s—frustrating Trump. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani told CNN's Becky Anderson there was no reason for uproar over the plane. The plane is estimated to be worth $400 million and the offer has drawn debate over whether it amounts to foreign influence, possibly violating constitutional restrictions on gifts to sitting presidents. The Qatari official dismissed accusations of buying influence, saying Qatar has been a reliable partner for the U.S. when needed, including in its war against terror, the evacuation in Afghanistan and releasing hostages from different countries in the world. Trump stated that the Boeing 747-8 would serve as the official presidential aircraft and, according to multiple reports, would be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation after he leaves office. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been selected as Trump's destinations for his first overseas trip since his presidential re-election with huge investments pledged from his Gulf partners. During the visit, Qatar signed a $200 billion deal to purchase 160 jets from Boeing. U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Wednesday: "The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive." Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani told CNN's Becky Anderson in an interview: "I know there were a lot of speculation about this topic. I don't know what is the reason that instigates this. This is a very simple government-to-government dealing." With a decision yet to be made, potential investigations and legal challenges could be launched to the offer of the plane. Related Articles Trump's $600 Billion Saudi Investment Deal: What We Know So FarAir Force One: Trump's Billion Dollar 'Boondoggle' ExplainedHow Trump's New Air Force One Dispute Could End in the Supreme CourtTrump Praises Qatar for 'Largest Order of Jets' in Boeing's History 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Air Force One: Trump's Billion Dollar 'Boondoggle' Explained
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Qatar's proposed "gift" of a jumbo jet to Air Force One has added a new twist to a multi-billion-dollar saga that began in 2018, when Boeing agreed with President Donald Trump to deliver two new presidential aircraft. Seven years later, it remains incomplete. The deal, signed in 2018 for $3.9 billion, commissioned Boeing to deliver two new custom 747-8s into Air Force One, a project that has fallen off schedule, angering the president. The project also faces additional pressure from the GOP, some of whom argue it is among "the biggest government boondoggles" and should face further public scrutiny. US President Donald Trump arrives in the Qatari capital Doha from Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrives in the Qatari capital Doha from Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2025. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images As the story continues, Newsweek has summarized the key events so far. Trump signs deal in 2018 In February 2018, the White House said Boeing would build two next-generation Air Force One planes at a fixed cost of $3.9 billion. Trump, backed by his officials, claimed his deal-making had made savings worth around $1.5 billion. He has since inflated that figure; his original savings claim was called into question by a Newsweek investigation. The contract won by Boeing would replace the Air Force One VC-25A fleet vehicles with customized 747-8s, to be designated VC-25B, intended for delivery by 2024. 2021-2025: Delays pile up In 2021, news emerged of delays amid a legal battle between Boeing and one of its contractors. As reported by Defense One, Boeing sued contractor GDC Technics, which countersued Boeing over the delays. In June 2021, Air Force acquisition official Darlene Costello told a House Armed Services Committee that the project could be delayed to 2025. In 2022, the Pentagon officially approved the delay of the first aircraft to September 2026 at the earliest. Pentagon documents state the delay was due to a "combination of factors: interiors supplier transition, wiring design, fabrication, installation timelines, modification throughput limitations, and project execution rates." The Air Force announced more delays in 2023, estimating the first craft would be delivered by 2027. A press release said the use of dark blue paint on the plane's exterior design, as requested by the White House in 2019, had led to additional heat testing. "The Air Force remains postured to keep VC-25A available and mission-ready until delivery of the VC-25B," a statement read. In December 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that unnamed sources familiar with the matter said the planes would not be ready until 2029 or later. However, the Air Force has recently said it was working with Boeing to deliver the aircraft within Trump's second term. At a House Armed Services Committee on May 7, 2025, Air Force official Darlene Costello said Boeing had provided an estimated completion date "that did coincide with the end of fiscal year 2027." "There's some assumptions baked into it that we're not sure are exactly appropriate and we're going to be looking at ways to bring that to the left," Costello added. Costello wrote in a submission to the committee that the Air Force was "actively pursuing options to accelerate VC-25B delivery in coordination with commercial and government stakeholders" following delays attributed to "interiors supplier transition, manpower limitations, and wiring design completion." An Air Force official told Newsweek: "Boeing provided an accelerated delivery estimate that could deliver VC-25B aircraft earlier if adjustments are made to requirements. "The Air Force is coordinating with the White House and Boeing to further define the requirements and acceleration options while ensuring we provide a safe, secure, and reliable aircraft for the President." Newsweek has contacted a media representative for Boeing via email for comment. Trump and Allies Complain While Boeing's former CEO, David Calhoun, said the fixed-cost contract with the Air Force presented a "very unique set of risks Boeing probably shouldn't have taken", Trump has repeatedly criticized the delay to the project. In February 2025, Trump said he was "not happy with Boeing" and "was looking at alternatives because it's taking Boeing too long." Trump toured a Boeing 747-8 to express his anger, with White House communications manager Steven Cheung saying: "President Trump is touring a new Boeing plane to check out the new hardware and technology. This highlights the project's failure to deliver a new Air Force One on time as promised." Allies in the GOP have also attacked the project. Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst told this week the project could fall under a proposal called the "Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025." The bill would require public disclosure of any project more than $1 billion over budget or five years behind schedule. According to a February 2025 statement from Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the bill would "rein in Washington's wasteful spending" and hold "excessively costly and delayed" projects to account. Newsweek has contacted a media representative for Ernst and a contact for Miller-Meeks via email for comment. Could the Project be Canceled? Neither Trump nor White House has said the project will be cancelled, although the jumbo jet "gift" from Qatar has refreshed such talk. Qatari officials said the plane was being given by the Qatari Ministry of Defense to the Pentagon. However, Trump said the Boeing 747-8 jet will be used as the official presidential plane, and, according to multiple reports, after he leaves office, it will be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation. A statement by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt sent to Newsweek said: "Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump's Administration is committed to full transparency." Newsweek has contacted media representatives for Boeing and the White House about the future of the contract. Legal experts speaking to Newsweek have said that Boeing could, in theory, sue for breach of contract over the issue. Attorney Bradley P. Moss told Newsweek that "Boeing would almost certainly have a clear breach of contract lawsuit it could bring, given it remains contracted to produce the new Air Force One planes. That would get messy and heated very quickly." He added: "Boeing, as well as any contractors and subcontractors, would almost certainly stand to bring a civil action under the Tucker Act." This act allows individuals to sue the government in specific cases where the government has breached a contract, violated the law, or caused injury. However, it is "very unlikely," according to Richard Painter, a chief ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush. "Boeing perhaps could sue if it affects their contract to build Air Force One, but the contract is still in place so it's very unlikely they will sue," he told Newsweek.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Donald Trump's new ride may cost US taxpayers over $1 billion
Donald Trump 's decision to temporarily adopt a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet—gifted by Qatar—as Air Force One could saddle U.S. taxpayers with more than double the cost of the current aircraft, experts warn. The Qatari-owned aircraft, valued at around $400 million, would require extensive modifications to meet Air Force One's stringent security and operational standards, potentially pushing total expenses past $1 billion, according to three aviation specialists who spoke to NBC News. Trump announced that the jet would serve as a temporary presidential aircraft until Boeing completes two new Air Force One replacements—already behind schedule and over budget. The new planes were originally due in 2024, but may not be ready until 2029. Trump, who is serving a second term, said the Qatari aircraft would eventually be transferred to his presidential library foundation. A Costly and Complex Conversion Experts say modifying the Qatari plane could take years, possibly into the 2030s. The aircraft would need to be completely disassembled and rebuilt to include secure communications, nuclear command capabilities, missile defense, aerial refueling systems, and protection against electronic warfare. Additional accommodations for medical staff and the Secret Service would also be necessary. Live Events 'It's not just expensive—it's impractical,' said Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory, adding that the proposed conversion would rival or exceed the costs of Boeing's current $5.3 billion program. The U.S. Air Force previously awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract in 2018 to convert two 747-8s for presidential use. That contract has since ballooned, resulting in major financial losses for Boeing and delays pushing delivery to as late as 2029. Trump Defends Decision, Says It Saves Money Despite the anticipated cost, Trump defended the decision to accept the Qatari jet, calling it a cost-saving move. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote: 'The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift… It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One.' He added that accepting the gift saves 'hundreds of millions of dollars' that would instead be used to 'Make America Great Again.' Trump also said only a "fool" would turn down such a donation. In a separate post, he criticized Democrats for opposing the gift, saying: 'Anybody can pay top dollar for a plane. The Dems are World Class Losers!!!' Legal Review Underway White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that legal reviews are in progress to ensure the aircraft's donation complies with U.S. law. 'Any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law,' she told CNN. As the debate continues, critics question whether the symbolic savings from accepting the Qatari jet will outweigh the long-term financial and logistical burdens it could impose on taxpayers.
