Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Boeing for delays in the new Air Force One project, a contract initiated during his first term. The project, valued at $3.9 billion, involves building two new presidential aircraft. Trump initially planned for the planes to be delivered by 2021 with a new red, white, and blue color scheme. However, after losing the 2020 election, President Biden reverted to the traditional color scheme.
The delivery of the new Air Force One has been postponed to 2027 due to challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. Boeing claims the fixed-price contract has led to at least $2 billion in losses for the company. Additionally, Trump's proposed color scheme has increased costs and project duration, as the dark blue design could cause overheating, affecting sensitive onboard electronics.
Despite Boeing's explanations, Trump insists the company should resolve these issues promptly to ensure timely delivery. Besides the Air Force One project, Boeing's space launch division might face significant job cuts by April 2025. The company has also been dealing with safety incidents and operational challenges in recent years.
