US President Donald Trump expressed angst over Boeing, one of the prominent plane-makers, as it delays the delivery of two specially modified planes for Presidential use. Trump said he is likely to buy used Boeing aircraft, suggesting that these can also be from an overseas seller to use as Air Force One when he's aboard. Trump, while being aboard one of the two nearly 35-year-old Boeing 747-200 aircraft in current use, told reporters that alternatives were being sought, adding, "because it's taking Boeing too long."
Will Trump take a European plane?
However, he later ruled out the possibility of purchasing aircraft from Airbus, the European company that is the only other global supplier of large wide-body aircraft as he added that he would consider a second-hand Boeing plane. Trump said, "I would not consider Airbus. I could buy one from another country perhaps or get one from another country."
Notably, Boeing has the contract to produce updated versions, which are slated to be based on the more modern Boeing 747-8. The delivery, however, could not be made on time, and the aircraft maker has lost billions of dollars on the deal, negotiated by Trump during his first term in office.
When will the delivery be made?
The delivery of the Presidential planes was initially set for 2024, but has been pushed to some time in 2027 for the first plane and in 2028 — Trump's final year in office — for the second, according to the US Air Force.
Trump on Saturday toured a newer Boeing 747-800 aeroplane to check out new hardware and technology features and highlight the aircraft maker's delay in delivering updated versions of the Air Force One presidential aircraft, the White House said Saturday.
Trump visited the 13-year-old private aircraft that had been owned by the Qatari royal family while it was parked at Palm Beach International Airport.
(With inputs from AP)
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