The US Air Force plans to acquire two Boeing 747-8 aircraft worth a total of about $400 million to organize a crew training program and provide for the future presidential fleet. This is reported by Reuters news agency, according to UNN.
Details
Reuters reports that the purchase is part of measures to accelerate the presidential air transport program, which involves transitioning from outdated 747-200 aircraft to the more modern and larger 747-8 model.
The first of the two new aircraft is expected to be received in early 2026, and the second by the end of the same year.
According to the US Air Force, the decision was due to the fact that the 747-8i is no longer in serial production and differs significantly from the current aircraft of the presidential fleet. The new aircraft will be used for crew training and as a source of spare parts.
Some media reported that the aircraft could be purchased from the German airline Lufthansa, one of the few that operated the 747-8 model, but a company representative declined to comment.
The Air Force noted that this acquisition is not related to the VC-25B program, under which Boeing is converting two other 747-8i aircraft for the next generation of Air Force One. The first of these specially modified aircraft is expected in mid-2028; the deadlines have been repeatedly postponed due to delays and cost overruns of the 2018 contract for $3.9 billion.
The Air Force also clarified that the training aircraft are not related to the 747-8i that was previously donated to the US by Qatar.
Recall
It was previously reported that the delivery of the first of two new presidential Air Force One aircraft from Boeing has been delayed until mid-2028. This decision could annoy US President Donald Trump, who wanted to fly on the new aircraft before the end of his term in January 2029.