President Donald Trump will utilize the older Air Force One jet while the new Qatari-gifted aircraft undergoes security upgrades.

President Donald Trump will fly on the traditional Air Force One jet for approximately one month while the new Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 undergoes extensive security retrofitting. The administration announced that while the new aircraft is currently safe for travel, it requires additional enhancements to be "maxed out" with full capabilities, including anti-missile defense systems. The new jet, a $400 million luxury gift from Qatar, recently carried President Donald Trump to a NATO summit in Turkey. However, the Secret Service urged him to use the older plane for the return trip due to the new jet's current lack of heat-seeking missile countermeasures. While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to block taxpayer funding for the upgrades, Senate Republicans successfully blocked the bill to ensure the aircraft remains in service. The administration estimated that the full retrofit could cost up to $1 billion. Upon leaving office, the aircraft will be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.

Sources