Trumps Presidential Airpower Hopes Delayed Until After His Term

Air Force One Delays Cast Shadow Over Trump’s Presidential Ambitions

A new report has revealed that Boeing’s delayed delivery of two new Air Force One jets, originally slated for 2024 and 2027, may not be completed until 2029 or later. This timeline would mean the aircraft will likely arrive after the end of Donald Trump’s second term in office, dealing a significant blow to his plans to fly on the updated presidential fleet.

The $3.9 billion deal with Boeing has faced multiple setbacks since 2018, and the company’s delivery delays have resulted in cost overruns. The project’s complexity and risks, as acknowledged by former CEO David Calhoun, have contributed to the challenges. In 2022, Calhoun described the Air Force One project as “a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably shouldn’t have taken.”

The production delays are attributed to various factors, including a bankrupt supplier, which led to the initial delivery schedule being rescheduled from late 2024 to 2026 and then early 2027. These changes were made after problems emerged, forcing the company to reassess its timelines.

In contrast to his predecessors, Trump had envisioned a darker blue, white, and red Air Force One, but the design was ultimately rejected due to thermal concerns. The current fleet features a lighter color scheme, which has been in use since the John F. Kennedy administration.

The delays have not only affected Boeing’s reputation but also impacted its production capacity. In September 2022, a strike by approximately 33,000 workers left the company with a significant backlog of commercial aircraft worth around $428 billion. The walkout eventually ended after Boeing agreed to raise wages by 38% over four years.

To recover from these setbacks, Boeing announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years to boost production of its 787 Dreamliner and meet an earlier output target of 10 planes per month by 2026. This move aims to alleviate some of the pressure on the company’s operations and production lines.

As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear whether Boeing will be able to meet its revised timelines or if the delays will continue to plague the project. The Air Force One program has become a test case for Boeing’s ability to manage complex projects and deliver on ambitious promises, raising questions about the company’s capacity to execute high-profile initiatives.