The luxury Boeing 747 aircraft donated by Qatar is expected to be delivered for use as the new Air Force One by the summer of 2026, according to a report citing a US Air Force spokesperson.

The aircraft, provided by the Qatari royal family, must first undergo extensive and highly classified modifications before US President Donald Trump can board it. While the exact nature of the upgrades has not been disclosed, officials say the process involves major security and communications enhancements.

“You would want to check the airplane out completely – strip it down, check for bugs, things like that, harden it to make sure nobody could hijack the electronics on the airplane … The ability for the president to command and control his military in the worst days, that takes a lot,” a retired senior military official familiar with Air Force One previously said.

The Trump administration announced in May 2025 that it was preparing to receive the Boeing 747-8 from Qatar. According to a US Air Force statement cited in reports, upgrade work on the aircraft began in September of that year.

Once completed, the jet is expected to serve as the primary presidential aircraft, replacing the current aging Air Force One fleet.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)