Boeing Aims for 2027 Air Force One Delivery as Delays Continue
Boeing has proposed delivering the new version of Air Force One by 2027, after delays pushed the expected delivery date from 2024. The Air Force and Boeing are currently working through several technical obstacles and production issues. These include limitations in workforce, problems with interior suppliers, and wiring design challenges. Darlene Costello, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force, said that while Boeing aims for a 2027 delivery, "I would not necessarily guarantee that date," stressing the ongoing discussions about what’s acceptable in terms of capabilities.
The project, initially started under President Trump’s first term, has faced repeated setbacks. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the delays, famously stating in February, “They can never finish the damn thing.” The White House recently said that the project was five years behind schedule, with a potential delivery pushed to 2029 or later. Meanwhile, Boeing has made progress in refining the schedule, reducing the timeline by one to two years. The Air Force is still working with Boeing to review potential trade-offs that may help meet the revised timeline.
In the interim, the Air Force has arranged for a Boeing 747 previously used by the Qatari government to be repurposed as an interim Air Force One, which may be ready by the fall. The delays have also led Trump to explore alternative options, such as the luxurious Qatari 747, as a potential stopgap measure while Boeing works to finalize the presidential jets.
