Boeing has proposed a new delivery timeline for the much-anticipated Air Force One aircraft, setting 2027 as the target year. This update comes from Darlene Costello, the acting assistant secretary of the U.S. Air Force. The two Boeing 747-8 jets, designed specifically for presidential transport, were originally scheduled for a 2024 delivery.
In light of the delays, Boeing and the U.S. Air Force are working together to realign project requirements to potentially meet the revised timeline, although the Air Force has yet to confirm this new proposed date. Reuters reported that to expedite the process, specific security standards at Boeing's production facilities have been temporarily relaxed. Meanwhile, the government has also engaged L3Harris Technologies to retrofit a Qatari Boeing 747 for interim use as Air Force One, with plans to have it operational by this fall.
These delays have attracted attention at the highest levels, with former President Donald Trump vocalizing his dissatisfaction over the prolonged timelines. His involvement included discussions aimed at expediting the project, with notable figures such as Elon Musk also being part of these consultations. Despite the scheduling challenges, Boeing remains a pivotal player in key aerospace projects.