President Donald Trump says he is unhappy with Boeing’s delayed completion of the latest Air Force One jetliner.
Aerospace company Boeing is in the spotlight once again, this time because of a multi-year delay in producing the latest jetliner for the U.S. commander-in-chief.
President Trump said he is “not happy with the fact that it’s taking so long” for the aircraft manufacturer to unroll the next iteration of Air Force One.
Trump said there is “no excuse” for the delay, per FOX Business.
“I’m not happy with Boeing. It takes them a long time to do, you know, Air Force One. We gave that contract out a long time ago as a fixed price contract, and I’m not happy with the fact that it’s taking so long, and we may do something else,” Trump said to reporters onboard the current Air Force One.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday evening after an administration official told FOX Business that the next-generation Air Force One will not hit runways until at least 2029. Boeing has cited global supply chain challenges and changes to the project requirements for causing the delay.
The Dallas Express covered the delays as far back as 2022. At the time, it was estimated the delays could cost American taxpayers upwards of $340 million.
President Trump even suggested that the government look elsewhere for a solution.
“We may go and buy a plane or get a plane or something. But I’m not happy with the fact that it’s taking Boeing so long,” he said.
However, Trump ruled out Europe-based Airbus, saying he would “not consider Airbus over Boeing.”
“But I could buy one that was used and convert it. I could buy one from another country perhaps, or get one from another country. … So we’re looking at other alternatives because it’s taking Boeing too long,” the President said.
Boing’s contract dates back to 2018 when the company was commissioned to build two new 747-8 aircraft that would serve as Air Force One. The $3.9 billion deal was inked with a delivery date of December 2024.
The new 747-8s are designed to mimic an airborne White House. The aircraft is intended to remain operational even in extreme scenarios, like a nuclear war.