President Donald Trump is likely to see a delay in the operational timing of the plane donated by Qatar, according to analysis. This is because using the Qatari plane as Air Force One (the presidential aircraft) requires far more complex modifications and inspections than a standard commercial aircraft.
On the 10th (local time), U.S. media outlets, including CBS, reported that President Trump, when asked about the timing for boarding the Qatari aircraft on the 29th of last month, said, "I believe it will be around February (next year). It's much faster than other models. The others are still in production." The Trump administration took delivery of the donated aircraft from Qatar in May and is currently undergoing modifications.
However, CNN cited former defense officials and aviation experts, reporting that "considering the enormous work required to modify a plane previously used by a foreign government to meet the special requirements of Air Force One and ensure safe use during the president's international flights, it's difficult to view that timeline as realistic."
Air Force One aircraft must be equipped with robust secure communications systems, missile defense systems, aerial refueling capabilities, and electronic countermeasures. Furthermore, since the Qatari aircraft has already been used by another government outside the U.S., detecting and removing any potential listening devices hidden in the airframe is also a critical aspect.
Andrew Hunter, who served as the Deputy Minister of the U.S. Air Force during the Biden administration, said, "It is impossible to replicate all the capabilities of Air Force One using the Qatari aircraft within a shorter period than the schedule being carried out in the Boeing program." He assessed that unless certain requirements that must be met before operating Air Force One are waived, completing the modifications to the Qatari aircraft by February of next year would be difficult.
According to the aviation consulting firm SimplyFlying, a thorough inspection that includes the complete disassembly of the aircraft generally takes 3 to 6 weeks. CNN reported that the Qatari plane, which will be used as Air Force One, will inevitably require more time than standard aircraft inspections to meet stricter security and safety standards.
Richard Aboulafia, managing director of the aviation consulting firm Aerodynamic Advisory, stated that while President Trump could have a new Air Force One ready by February if he wants, it's likely that the aircraft will not possess the performance and security required for Air Force One. He warned, "While it may be possible to fly in February, conversations aboard could be susceptible to eavesdropping anywhere in the world."
Frank Kendall, who served as Secretary of the Air Force during the Biden administration, also stated that if President Trump minimizes the scope of modifications and waives most of the special requirements for Air Force One, it could be ready by February. However, he assessed that in that case, "it would only be an aircraft capable of operating within the United States," and added that President Trump might not ever be able to fly in a Qatari aircraft that meets the standards for Air Force One.