Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Politics
Chris Baynes

Donald Trump 'demands supersized Air Force One'

US Air Force officials are reportedly scrambling to meet Donald Trump's demands for a bigger presidential aircraft.

The image-conscious president wants a supersized plane that also save the taxpayer money, according to the BBC.

Aerospace company Boeing last month won a $600m (£442m) contract to design the next generation of Air Force One, the name of the fleet of presidential aircraft.

But the firm has also been tasked with cutting costs after Mr Trump last year described spending on the project as "out of control".

The air force last month confirmed it had bought two Boeing 747-8 commercial airliners that will be converted to replace the existing fleet of Air Force One, which is seen as symbol of America's standing on the world stage.

Mr Trump currently flies on VC-25A aircraft that have been in use since George Bush Sr's administration.

Boeing has been charged with designing a mission control system, a medical facility, a self-defence system, and electrical power upgrades for the new aircraft, which are 30ft longer than their predecessors. 

"We'll do our best to drive down costs," said Caroline Hutcheson, a Boeing spokeswoman.

In the weeks after last year's election, Mr Trump tweeted: "Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!"

But since then he is reported to have noted with envy that the emir of Kuwait has a larger plane than him.

Politico reported that Mr Trump met Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah earlier this year and was "very impressed by the emir’s plane but noted that it was longer than his - maybe even by 100 feet".

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.