Trump Keeps Flying Qatari-Gifted Plane Amid Security Fears and Upgrade Delays

US President Donald Trump plans to continue flying in his new Qatari-gifted Boeing 747, which is set to serve as the president's new Air Force One, despite concerns regarding its security. The move comes after a July security incident in Turkey where an Iranian assassination threat prompted a covert operation to transfer Trump from his previous Air Force One aircraft to an alternative military jet.

The refurbished Qatari-gifted Boeing aircraft still requires additional upgrades before entering service, which are expected to take 60 days to complete and begin in October. The upgrades will cost millions of dollars more than the $400 million retrofit already completed on the plane.

With delays affecting the older Air Force One aircraft, Trump is expected to use the Qatari-gifted plane for upcoming trips, including visits to Texas, Alaska, and Ireland. This has raised concerns about the acceptance of a significant gift from a foreign government, as well as questions over delays in replacing the current Air Force One fleet.

The cost of upgrading Boeing's aircraft has risen to more than $5.6 billion, according to The Washington Post, prompting lawmakers to question why the price has increased so significantly compared with the cost of retrofitting the Qatari aircraft.