On Tuesday night, Air Force One was forced to return to Maryland less than an hour after takeoff due to a “minor electrical issue.” The aircraft was en route to Davos, Switzerland, carrying President Donald Trump when the anomaly was detected, as reported by the White House.
Following the incident, President Trump boarded an alternative aircraft approximately one hour later. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed traveling reporters that the crew identified the issue shortly after departing from Joint Base Andrews. Out of caution for the safety of all on board, they decided to turn back.
Air Force One landed back at Joint Base Andrews at 11:07 p.m. Eastern time. Eyewitness reports from journalists on board indicated that the lights in the press cabin momentarily went out after takeoff, although no further details about the electrical issue were disclosed by the White House.
Replacement Aircraft and Journey to Davos
After returning to base, President Trump transferred to a backup aircraft, an Air Force C-32. This modified Boeing 757 is commonly utilized for presidential travel to smaller airports. The replacement flight departed shortly after midnight, allowing the president to continue his journey to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
Trump’s schedule had him addressing the gathering around 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, shortly after his arrival in Davos. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had already arrived in Davos, noted that Trump would be arriving approximately three hours later than initially planned.
Prior to his departure from Joint Base Andrews, President Trump expressed a sense of uncertainty regarding the trip. He stated to reporters, “This will be an interesting trip. I have no idea what is going to happen. But you are well represented.”
Status of Air Force One
Currently, the United States Air Force operates two modified Boeing 747s that serve as Air Force One. These aircraft have been in service since 1990. Initially, they were scheduled for replacement in 2024; however, the delivery of the first new aircraft has since been postponed to 2027, with the second aircraft delayed until 2028, according to the Air Force.
In a related development from last summer, President Trump revealed that the Qatari royal family contributed a Boeing 747-8, valued at $400 million, to eventually function as Air Force One. According to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, significant renovations on the donated aircraft could cost several hundred million dollars before it is operational.
The recent incident with Air Force One underscores the importance of safety protocols in presidential travel and highlights the ongoing updates needed for the fleet serving the U.S. president.