Accepting aircraft from Qatar may pose a potential threat to national security, as detailed below.

Updated: May 14, 2025 at 14:49 PM CDT

Brace yourselves, folks! The Trump administration is eyeing a used Boeing 747 as a potential gift from Qatar's royal family to serve as Air Force One - yes, the very same Air Force One! And let's just say, this idea sparks quite the ethics and security debate, coupled with some bipartisan backlash from lawmakers. Toss in some aviation insights, and we've got ourselves a conversation starter!

The Donald took it to his digital watering hole, Truth Social, to address the fuss surrounding his acceptance plans for the planes-that-could-be.

"Alrighty, let me set this straight! The Department of Defense is gonna score a free 747 aircraft, baby, to serve as a temporary replacement for the 40-year-old Air Force One. No sweat, no cost, just transparent Santa-like transaction right here!" Trump penned.

Richard Aboulafia, the shrewd managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory and a seasoned aviation analyst, chatted it up with NPR's A Martinez about the President's fantasy flight. Aboulafia opined that the whole Air Force One gig with a pre-owned plane was nothing but hogwash!

So, what's the big whoop about flying Air Force One versus a standard 747? According to Aboulafia, it all boils down to cost, functionality, and safety. To ensure the plane's trustworthiness, it needs to go through the wrecking ball and be rebuilt with spiffy new systems - hey, a man's gotta have his presidential perks, right?

These bad boys, Air Force One jets, come equipped with specialized systems letting the Prez communicate with officials and military forces everywhere and survive messy situations like a nuke apocalypse. They're more durable and talented than the average Jane passenger jet, trust us!

There's this Boeing-led project in full swing aiming to deliver two brand spankin' new Air Force Ones. But darn it, progress's been a slugfest, riddled with halts, and the first aircraft's expected completion date keeps sliding into 2029 or possibly later.

By accepting a gifted plane from the land of falcons, we're inviting Mr. Hyde to our house. What, you say there could be eavesdropping gadgets added? Aboulafia warns that the only way to guarantee the jet's innocence is to tear it down to its tiniest components. But alas, he bemoans, stripping the aircraft and giving it a facelift 'ain't making sense, either.

"Why even go down this convoluted rabbit hole when we can speed things up the smart way, by finishing off that planned Air Force One or going the straightforward route, such as building one from scratch?" asks Aboulafia.

Our man Aboulafia wasn't shy about voicing his worries regarding the security hazards this gifted plane would potentially bring. He also had a bone to pick with the Trump Administration regarding the uphill battle this whole gifted plane scenario poses.

This interview got a quick trim-and-tidy for length and clarity

Highlights of the Interview

Martínez: Okay, suppose Trump's team could whip this Qatari ride into shape in no time. What kind of work would be needed to convert it for Presidential travel?

Aboulafia: Whoa, dude, that's a pipe dream. Gutting the existing 747 Air Force One replacement aircraft? That's a seven-year process with a good share of that time due to poor execution and crazy Jarmans, if you catch my drift. So if we're talking best-case scenario, it's another four or five years until the basic aircraft is ready.

Martínez: So, could we whip up Air Force One from scratch, or perhaps convert an existing plane to suit our needs?

Aboulafia: Well, if being a wise old Jack fool is what you're looking for, then yeah. However, the simplest course of action would be to carry on with the current Air Force One program of record, the VC-25. If you cut the team some slack on certain requirements, Boeing reckons they could get that ready within a couple of years, saving money and time, in boot!

Martínez: Now, sound the alarm for me! What kind of security hazards could we be facing with a foreign-owned jet? Even after extensive inspections?

Aboulafia: Oh, man, it's all about those departure scenarios, always gotta be on the lookout for bad ninjas sticking listening devices! Now, I ain't accusing those Qatari cats of being up to no good... but you just can't be blind to the possibility, ya know?

Martínez: Alrighty, it seems this gift would be more trouble than it's worth.

Aboulafia: Yeah, this whole thing's a shaggy dog story. Accepting the foreign gift plane won't save us a dime or time compared to the planned Air Force One or the one that's currently in service.

Martínez: So, what's Trump's angle on this flowery present? Why go through all the hassle?

Aboulafia: Dunno, mate. I reckon maybe the Afghan Puss might get to keep the aircraft once he steps down, assuming there's no top-secret info in it. But hey, that's assuming the planes got all the juicy secrets, ya know?

Martínez: You reckon something like this would just be a one-off deal?

Aboulafia: Just the idea of a foreign-owned plane serving as Air Force One is bonkers. We're talking about Presidential transportation here, not any ol' plane entrusted to our President's safekeeping. Building a presidential bird is about integrating cutting-edge security features and missionizing a standard aircraft to meet the fierce demands of the role.

The controversy surrounding the Trump administration's potential acceptance of a used Boeing 747 from Qatar's royal family as a temporary replacement for Air Force One has sparked concerns about cost, functionality, and security, leading to bipartisan backlash from lawmakers and a call for transparency in the matter.
Aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia, noting the risks associated with a foreign-owned aircraft serving as Air Force One, warned that accepting the gifted plane would invite potential security hazards, such as eavesdropping devices, and advised that the best course of action would be to complete the planned Air Force One project or build a new one from scratch.
In an interview with NPR, Aboulafia expressed his concerns about the proposed use of a foreign-owned plane for Presidential travel, citing long delays and costs for conversion and the preferable option of continuing with the current Air Force One program, which could be completed within a few years and save both time and money.

Accepting aircraft from Qatar may pose a potential threat to national security, as detailed below.