Qatari royal gift: Trump set to receive 'flying palace'
The Trump administration is preparing to receive a luxurious Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family, reports ABC. The aircraft is set to serve as the new presidential plane, Air Force One. The current two planes in use are quite old, and Americans have even ordered new ones, but there's still a wait for them.
Next week, Donald Trump will visit Qatar and other countries in the region as part of his first overseas trip this term. It is during this visit that the Qataris are expected to present him with the plane, according to ABC's unofficial findings based on reports from people familiar with the matter. It might be the most valuable gift given to the United States by any country, comments ABC.
As explained, the plane would be used as Air Force One until the end of Trump's current term, and afterward, it would go to the presidential library foundation he established. ABC recalls that the plane arrived in Florida in February this year and was toured by Trump at that time. The 13-year-old Boeing is so lavishly equipped that it has earned the nickname "flying palace."
Trump dissatisfied with his plane
Bloomberg adds that Trump told reporters after touring the plane that he "is not satisfied" with the current aircraft and that his administration is considering doing "something different." "We might go out and buy a plane," he stated.
The agency adds that the Boeing, which is to be gifted to him, has been used for the past decade by Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, one of the wealthiest figures of the Qatari royal family.
Bloomberg notes that Trump is exploring other options to replace the aging Air Force One fleet, prompted by Boeing’s ongoing delays in delivering the two aircraft he commissioned during his first term. According to a recent announcement by the Air Force, Boeing now expects to complete delivery of the updated planes by 2027.
