Trump unveils Qatari 747 ahead of joining Air Force One fleet

WASHINGTON, Jun 20: President Donald Trump on Friday got a look at his upgraded Boeing 747, a plane gifted by Qatar, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as the aircraft neared delivery to join the Air Force One fleet.

"This is considered the world's most luxurious plane. When it was built, it was built at a level that will probably never be seen again," Trump told a crowd in a new hangar at the base.

The jumbo aircraft, offered by Qatar as a gift last year, was overhauled by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies and has been flight-tested and painted in a red, white, dark blue and gold livery chosen by Trump, marking a departure from the iconic design used on Air Force One for decades.

Trump said the upgrade was necessary to keep pace with more modern aircraft flown by foreign leaders.

“These countries have a lot of respect  for us, and yet they have a plane that’s much newer and much better. It’s a little ridiculous,” Trump said.

Trump said the rest of the Air Force One fleet will have the new design.

The addition to Trump's fleet provides a more modern and luxurious plane that the president, his aides, security detail and the media will travel in. The upgrade's cost has not been disclosed and it was done so quickly that some experts fear it may not be as secure as the existing Air Force One aircraft. 
�" REUTERS