Former US President Donald Trump has voiced strong dissatisfaction with Boeing over the prolonged delays in delivering the new Air Force One aircraft, suggesting his administration might need to explore alternative solutions.
“I’m not happy with Boeing,” Trump stated on Wednesday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. “We gave that contract out a long time ago.”
Expressing frustration over the slow progress, he added:
“We may do something else. We may go and buy a plane, or get a plane or something.”
However, he ruled out considering Airbus as an alternative manufacturer.
Boeing is currently at least three years behind schedule in delivering the two new presidential jets. A White House official recently indicated that the Air Force One program might not be completed until 2029 or later, citing supply chain disruptions and component shortages. Some of the suppliers responsible for key parts have gone out of business, further compounding the delays.
Trump has been personally involved in negotiations over the project since his 2016 campaign. In an effort to save taxpayer money, he successfully pressured Boeing’s former CEO Dennis Muilenburg to agree to a fixed-price contract, capping costs at $4 billion. However, Boeing has since incurred over $2 billion in losses due to the contract’s constraints.
The former president’s renewed focus on the project comes amid growing frustration over Boeing’s inability to meet deadlines. The first of the aircraft was originally scheduled to be ready at the start of Trump’s second term, but issues such as retrofitting challenges, labor shortages, and parts supply problems have led to significant delays.
In an effort to cut costs, the Trump administration previously agreed to remove some features from the aircraft, including mid-air refueling capabilities. Over the weekend, Trump toured a Boeing 747 parked at Palm Beach International Airport, reportedly considering whether a luxury jet could be acquired and modified as an interim solution. However, such a move would require adjustments in security and communications technology.
Boeing has yet to respond to Trump’s latest remarks, but the company’s stock fell by as much as 1.7% following reports that alternative options were being explored.
