President Donald Trump made an unexpected visit to Palm Beach International Airport to tour a new Boeing plane and address the delays in the renovation of two 747 jets into next-generation Air Force One aircraft. Originally scheduled for delivery in 2022, the new Air Force One planes are now not expected until at least 2027 due to supply chain issues and pandemic-related staffing shortages.
White House communications director Steven Cheung expressed disappointment in the project's failure to deliver on time, emphasizing that the planes are already five years behind schedule. Elon Musk, overseeing Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, visited Boeing in December and has been collaborating with the company to address the delays.
Trump has also expressed a desire to make cosmetic changes to Air Force One, particularly focusing on changing the exterior colors. He mentioned a preference for a 'power blue' color over the current 'baby blue,' stating that the new color scheme would be more appropriate. Despite previous plans for color changes being scrapped during the Biden administration, Trump remains committed to updating the aircraft's appearance.
During a flight on Air Force One, Trump remarked on the importance of timing and indicated that the color change would eventually take place. The ongoing delays in the Air Force One project have drawn criticism from the President, highlighting the challenges faced by Boeing in delivering the new presidential aircraft on schedule.
