Boeing Delays and the Qatari Gift
- G. Rhodes
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read

The title of my May 24 post was The Marvel Known as Air Force One wherein we learned all about many of the features associated with the two highly customized Boeing 747-200-B (VC-25A) aircraft used to transport the President of the United States. The post led with the news about a B747-800 owned by the government of Qatar that was formerly used by their royal family and was being gifted to the United States Department of Defense for presumed presidential transport. The customized interior was designed by Cabinet Pinto based in Paris. It features expensive hardwoods, silk fabrics, and accommodations for 89 passengers. This includes two bedrooms as well as entertainment and meeting rooms. The interior also includes a foyer with couches and bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. But, the question is: why would President Trump want this jet when two other 747-800 aircraft are on order from Boeing to replace the current ones? The answer is simple: he’s tired of waiting.

The President’s suggestion that he would accept a Qatari jet as a gift to serve as Air Force One spotlights another glaring question: why has Boeing missed its deadline to deliver the two new presidential planes? The aerospace giant was supposed to deliver the two converted 747s last year to replace the aging Air Force One jets that have flown since 1990 when George H.W. Bush was President. However, the project is years behind schedule and billions over budget, much to Trump's frustration. In an attempt to save money, the Air Force first purchased the two completed but undelivered 747-8 intercontinental aircraft from Boeing. They were originally built for the Russian airline Transaero. But, that carrier went bankrupt in 2015 before their aircraft could be delivered. Following months of negotiation, the Air Force then awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract in July 2018 to customize the pair to Air Force One standards. The planes were to be equipped with cutting-edge defenses and communications systems, anti-missile technology, protection against hacking and the ability to operate during nuclear fallout. That price was intended to be final meaning that Boeing, not the taxpayers, would absorb any cost overruns.

The company has cited a range of issues for the delay from the bankruptcy of a key supplier to staffing shortages and pandemic-era supply chain difficulties. ”They've been having problems with this program for quite some time," said Greg Williams, a defense expert at the Project on Government Oversight. "That includes building components incorrectly and having to tear them down and rebuild them, to design changes requiring rework, and trouble hiring and retaining skilled workers," he said. Adding to the challenge: anyone working on Air Force One must have a high-level security clearance. "It requires a very specific type of security clearance to be building something like Air Force One," stated Abigail Hall, a defense economics professor at the University of Tampa. Officially, the Air Force and Boeing say they are aiming for 2027, but a White House estimate last month pushed the timeline back even further, to 2029 or later. In the meantime, the Air Force is trying to accelerate production, including temporarily waiving certain clearance requirements for workers. However, a few "remaining issues" are still being negotiated between Boeing and the government.

With the above in mind, it’s not surprising that the President has become rather impatient. But, the story of Qatar's gift of that 747-800 to the US Government involves a complex interplay of diplomacy, aircraft acquisition needs, and differing perspectives on the nature of the transaction. Several sources have indicated the Trump administration first initiated contact with Qatar to inquire about acquiring the plane for use as Air Force One. The Pentagon, facing delays in acquiring the previously-ordered jets from Boeing, explored options for a quicker replacement aircraft, with Qatar being a potential source. Following the initial discussions, Qatar reportedly offered to "gift" the aircraft to the US Department of Defense.

This particular 747-800 was originally commissioned for the Qatari royal family. Some sources suggest that gifting the plane allows Qatar to avoid ongoing maintenance costs. In any case, the US Government formally accepted the plane, stating it will be used as a temporary Air Force One until the new jets are ready. However, that decision has raised concerns about the costs and complexities of converting the luxurious jet to meet strict Air Force One security requirements. It’s also drawn a raft of criticism regarding potential ethics issues and possible violation of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. Also known as the Foreign Emoluments Clause, it’s a provision in the US Constitution (Article I, Section 9, Clause B) that prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts, emoluments, offices, or titles from foreign governments without the consent of Congress. This clause aims to prevent foreign influence on US officials and ensure they prioritize the interests of the United States.

While the President has publicly stated that Qatar initiated the offer as a gift, CNN reports suggest the Trump Administration made the initial approach. Be that as it may, the decision will likely save the Qatari government hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in storage fees and maintenance costs for what has been referred to as a “palace in the sky.” They’d been attempting to sell the aircraft since 2020 and failed to find a buyer, according to Forbes. But, with the President’s decision to use it as a “temporary Air Force One,” Qatar may have found a way to take the jet off their hands while scoring points with the current US administration at the same time.

However, it will require extensive modifications to serve as a secure, high-tech mode of transportation for the American President. The jet will first need to be disassembled and searched for listening devices before it’s reinforced to the security levels needed for Air Force One. Andrew Hunter, former US Air Force acquisitions chief, estimated it could cost tens of millions just to do a full security sweep of the plane. Significant upgrades will also be needed to meet the security and communications standards the US Air Force has for Air Force One. Although conversion costs have been estimated to approach $1 billion, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told Congress on Thursday, June 5, that it would “probably” cost just hundreds of millions of dollars to transform the Qatari 747 into a proper Air Force One. He told the House Armed Services Committee that the final price tag would come in at under $400 million, according to The Hill. Claiming the majority of information about the plane's modification requirements is classified, Meink declined to provide specifics, but did say the $1 billion projection costs were inflated.
We’ll have to wait and see how this drama plays out. Regardless, the narrative is an intriguing blend of practical aviation needs, strategic diplomacy, and political considerations - all surrounding a high-value government asset.
Until next time...safe travels.
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