US President Donald Trump is about to obtain a luxurious jumbo jet, supposed to be used as a presidential airplane, from the royal household of Qatar.
In keeping with US media experiences, the airplane won’t be prepared to be used straight away, as it’ll should be retrofitted. The US authorities additionally plans to test the present for spying gadgets.
In an uncommon association, the airplane additionally might be donated to Trump’s presidential library on the finish of his time period, sources advised US media.
Information of the present comes as Trump is about to go to Qatar this week as he embarks on a visit to the Center East, the primary main international journey of his second time period.
The worth of the present and its dealing with is certain to boost authorized and moral questions amongst critics.
The White Home’s present fleet contains two Boeing 747-200B planes customised for presidential use with particular communications gear and options like a stateroom, workplace and convention room, based on the US Air Power. The planes have been in use since 1990 and 1991.
Air Power One planes normally carry over to different administrations. In keeping with the Nationwide Archives, solely the Reagan presidential library has an Air Power One jet, and it flew seven presidents earlier than being donated.
Qatar is alleged to offer the Trump administration a model of a Boeing 747-8, a a lot newer mannequin that ABC experiences has been upgraded right into a “flying palace”.
Boeing had been contracted to offer the White Home with newer planes, however Trump complained earlier this yr that the corporate was delayed. His administration had initially negotiated with Boeing for 2 specialised 747-8 planes throughout his first administration.
The airplane maker stated the plane wouldn’t be obtainable till 2027 or 2028.
“No, I am not proud of Boeing. It takes them a very long time to do, you already know, Air Power One, we gave that contract out a very long time in the past,” Trump stated in February.
“We might purchase a airplane or get a airplane, or one thing.”
Trump had a constructive diplomatic relationship with Qatar throughout his first time period, which included an announcement in 2019 that the nation would make a big buy of American airplanes.
Qatar has additionally beforehand given personal jets as presents to different international locations, reminiscent of a luxurious airplane given to Turkey in 2018.
