Trump Frustrated as Boeing Speeds Air Force One
President Donald Trump has voiced his displeasure over the prolonged delays in delivering the specially outfitted Boeing 747s that are set to become the next Air Force One aircraft. The pair of jets, which were contracted for $4 billion during Trump’s first term, are now years behind schedule, with cost overruns exceeding $2 billion to date. These delays have sparked frustration from the president, who recently hinted he might explore alternative options if the delivery timeline does not improve.
At a recent Barclays industrials conference, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged the president’s discontent, noting that Trump’s frustration is widely known. In an effort to accelerate the process, Ortberg revealed that Boeing is collaborating closely with Elon Musk, a key advisor to Trump, to expedite the aircraft’s delivery. “Elon Musk is actually helping us a lot in working through the requirements,” Ortberg said, adding that Musk’s expertise enables the company to identify and remove non-essential constraints that slow down production.
Ortberg praised Musk as “a brilliant guy” who can quickly distinguish between technical necessities and issues that can be streamlined. This collaboration represents an innovative approach by Boeing to overcome long-standing production challenges that have plagued the manufacturer, particularly in the wake of a near-catastrophic door-plug incident in January 2024. That event significantly delayed deliveries and ultimately prompted a leadership change at Boeing.
During a recent tour of one of the current presidential 747s at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport, Trump expressed his ongoing concerns to reporters. “We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something,” he commented, suggesting that if delays continue, alternative strategies might be considered. Although the White House did not immediately comment on these remarks, they underscore the urgency of the situation for the current administration.
Despite these setbacks with the Air Force One project, there are positive signs on the horizon for Boeing. At the same conference, executives from major airlines like United and Southwest expressed renewed confidence in the manufacturer’s turnaround. United Airlines CFO Mike Leskinen remarked, “Boeing is doing a pretty miraculous job of turning around and becoming more reliable as a supplier.” Leskinen highlighted that United’s confidence in timely deliveries of its MAX aircraft has never been higher.
Similarly, Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines, noted on a January earnings call that while challenges remain, Boeing appears to be on the right path toward improvement. Jordan added, “We are feeling more optimistic” about Boeing’s progress, reflecting a broader sentiment among industry players.
Looking ahead, Boeing’s Ortberg emphasized that there are no significant supply chain issues expected to hinder the production ramp-up of its flagship 737 MAX aircraft. The company plans to increase production to 38 units per month in the coming months, reinforcing its commitment to regaining the trust of airline customers and stabilizing its manufacturing operations.
As the pressure mounts on Boeing to deliver the new Air Force One jets, the collaboration with Elon Musk and the encouraging signs from airline executives provide a glimmer of hope that the delays may soon be resolved. The outcome of these efforts will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and the Trump administration alike, as the delivery of these iconic aircraft remains a high-profile priority.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com