The United States has officially accepted a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft as a donation from the Qatari government. The U.S. Air Force has been assigned to assess and potentially modify the aircraft for use as presidential transport.
According to an official familiar with the matter, preparations are underway to award a contract for converting the aircraft for executive airlift purposes. However, the details of the contract remain classified.
Despite the aircraft’s high-end features, aviation experts caution that it could take several years to modify it to meet the stringent security and operational standards required for presidential use. These modifications typically include advanced communications, defense systems, and command capabilities.
Some lawmakers and oversight groups have raised legal concerns regarding the acceptance of gifts from foreign governments, citing constitutional restrictions. The White House has stated that the plane was given to the Department of Defense and that proper legal procedures will be followed.
Former President Donald Trump has stated that he does not intend to use the aircraft after his time in office and hopes to include it in his future presidential library. Meanwhile, two additional Boeing 747-8 aircraft are already being customized as part of the ongoing presidential fleet replacement program, which began under a previous administration. That project has experienced delays due to technical and logistical challenges.
