What Happened
Modified Jetliner Expected Ready for Presidential Use This Summer
The US Air Force is expediting the delivery of a donated 747 jetliner from Qatar to serve as an interim Air Force One, with an anticipated delivery date of this summer. The aircraft, designated as the VC-25 bridge aircraft, is undergoing modifications to support the Presidential airlift mission. Despite criticism surrounding the donation, the Air Force maintains that the jet will provide a necessary interim solution amid delays in Boeing’s Air Force One contract. The project’s quick turnaround and relatively low estimated cost of less than $400 million were first reported by the Wall Street Journal, according to Breaking Defense.