The U.S. Air Force announced Friday that the delivery of the first of two new Air Force One jets from Boeing has been pushed back again, now expected in mid-2028. This marks the latest delay in a program that has faced multiple setbacks, and it could frustrate President Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire to fly on the new planes before the end of his term in January 2029.
The program, which involves converting two Boeing 747-8 aircraft into advanced presidential jets with state-of-the-art communications and defense systems, is now projected to be four years behind schedule. The effort to build the planes has already cost over $5 billion, with Boeing absorbing $2.4 billion in charges against earnings. The current Air Force One jets have been in service since 1990. Boeing said it is continuing to make progress, emphasizing its focus on delivering “two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country.”
Boeing originally received a $3.9 billion contract in 2018 to build the planes, though costs have risen since then. In addition to the new jets, the U.S. accepted a luxury Boeing 747 as a gift from Qatar earlier this year, which the Air Force has tasked defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to upgrade for presidential use.
Earlier this year, Trump voiced his frustration over the repeated delays but ruled out using European manufacturer Airbus as an alternative. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg noted that Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who advises Trump, has been assisting with program challenges. In June, Boeing appointed former Northrop Grumman executive Steve Sullivan to lead the Air Force One program, replacing Gregg Coffey. Sullivan previously worked on major programs, including the B-21 bomber, and brings extensive experience in defense aircraft development.