The Air Force One program may face further delays, potentially pushing delivery until 2029 or even later, according to a senior administration official. Supply chain challenges and evolving requirements are cited as the primary reasons for the setbacks.
Reasons for the Delays
The delays are reportedly due to Boeing’s difficulty in obtaining necessary components, as some suppliers have gone out of business. Additionally, requirements for the new presidential aircraft, known as VC-25B, have changed due to evolving security threats, further complicating the project.
Boeing has not commented on the delays. Initially scheduled for delivery in December 2024, the first aircraft’s timeline was postponed to 2027 or 2028, aligning with the end of President Donald Trump’s second term. However, new reports suggest delivery could be delayed until 2029 or later.
Trump’s Involvement and Cost Constraints
President Trump has been closely involved with the Air Force One program since his 2016 campaign. He secured a commitment from former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg to cap the program’s cost at $4 billion. This fixed-price contract, finalized in 2018, has resulted in Boeing incurring over $2 billion in losses.
Amid the delays, Trump has re-engaged with the project. Boeing’s current CEO, Kelly Ortberg, stated that the company is collaborating with Elon Musk, one of Trump’s allies, to accelerate the production schedule.
“The president wants those planes sooner, so we’re working with Elon to see what can we do to pull up the schedule of those programs,” Ortberg said in an interview with CNBC on January 28.
Challenges and Complexities
Boeing leaders attribute the delays to ongoing supply chain disruptions, high production costs, and the complexity of the planes, which are designed to function as an airborne White House.
Over the weekend, Trump inspected a 12-year-old 747-8 aircraft at Palm Beach International Airport to better understand the configuration planned for the new presidential aircraft. The plane, formerly owned by Qatar and now repurposed as a charter jet, offered Trump a glimpse of the enhanced space and accommodations the new Air Force One planes will provide.
The updated aircraft will be significantly larger than the current Air Force One models, allowing for more passengers, including members of the media.
