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Current Affairs

US aims to deploy Qatar-gifted luxury jet as Air Force One for Fourth of July

The US Air Force is targeting a Fourth of July delivery for a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that would join the Air Force One…

By Samantha Johnson / May 6, 2026

The US Air Force is targeting a Fourth of July delivery for a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that would join the Air Force One fleet in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary, a US official and a person familiar with the programme said.

The White House accepted the luxury jet from Qatar in 2025 ‌and asked the Air Force to rapidly upgrade the aircraft to presidential standards, with L3Harris tapped to carry out the overhaul.

If the company meets its deadline, US President Donald Trump will have a new presidential aircraft in time for the national celebrations.

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The person said there were efforts to possibly deliver the jet three weeks earlier to align with Trump’s birthday on June 14, ahead of the July 4 deadline.

The Qatari gift has drawn criticism from Democrats and advocates of good government, who warned it was a conflict of interest that could influence ⁠presidential decisions.

A Boeing 747 sits on the tarmac at Palm Beach International Airport, after US President Donald Trump toured the aircraft in February 2025. Trump has accepted the luxury jet from the Qatari royal family for use as Air Force One. Photo: TNS
A Boeing 747 sits on the tarmac at Palm Beach International Airport, after US President Donald Trump toured the aircraft in February 2025. Trump has accepted the luxury jet from the Qatari royal family for use as Air Force One. Photo: TNS

Trump has dismissed complaints of accepting the 13-year-old aeroplane with a US$400 million list price, saying it would be “stupid” to turn down the offer.

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