United States: The White House is in discussions with Qatar’s royal family regarding the possible transfer of a luxury jumbo jet for use as an Air Force One aircraft.
While the Gulf nation has denied that the aircraft would be a formal gift, Qatari officials confirmed that a temporary use agreement is under review by legal departments in both countries. The discussions come ahead of President Donald Trump’s official visit to Qatar, part of his first major foreign trip of his second term.
The aircraft in question is believed to be a Boeing 747-8, a significantly newer and more luxurious model than the current presidential fleet, which includes Boeing 747-200B planes that have been in use since the early 1990s.
Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Media Attaché to the United States, stated that the negotiations are taking place between Qatar’s Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defence. Ali Al-Ansari stated that, “The matter remains under review by the respective legal departments, and no decision has been made.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured reporters that any foreign gift would comply with all applicable laws. Karoline Leavitt remarked that,“President Trump’s administration is committed to full transparency.”
The aircraft would not be ready for immediate use and would require retrofitting and security clearance. Once its service concludes, the jet is expected to be donated to Trump’s presidential library.
While Boeing is already under contract to deliver two new 747-8 Air Force One planes, the delivery has faced delays, with completion now expected between 2027 and 2028. Trump, who negotiated the original deal with Boeing during his first term, expressed frustration earlier this year. Trump declered that, “No, I’m not happy with Boeing. We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something.”
The potential Qatar arrangement could provide a stopgap solution until Boeing delivers the new aircraft. The U.S. National Archives notes that only the Reagan Presidential Library currently features a decommissioned Air Force One on display.
Qatar has a history of gifting aircraft to foreign allies. In 2018, the Gulf state gave a luxury jet to Turkey, raising questions about precedent, legality, and optics issues that are likely to re-emerge if the U.S. proceeds with this deal.
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