US President Donald Trump bid farewell to the long-serving Air Force One. PTI
US President Donald Trump’s return from France marked the final flight of the Boeing 747-200B that has served US presidents for 35 years on Air Force One, according to senior White House officials.The plane landed at Joint Base Andrews in the early hours of Thursday, where officials released photos of the plane on the runway and described it as the “last flight” of the long-serving presidential plane.“I was honored to be on Air Force One last night on its final flight,” US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley said on X, adding: “For nearly 40 years, it has flown every president since George H.W. Bush. It wasn’t the most modern plane, but it was comfortable.
Every trip with President Trump has been incredibly special. “Farewell and thank you, SAM 2900. You have served us all well,” she said.White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung also posted, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Last flight,” alongside a photo of the plane on the runway.
The US President had returned from France earlier today on the same plane, on his last operational presidential mission.
The shift comes as the US Air Force prepares to integrate the Boeing 747 jet gifted to Trump by Qatar, which has completed modification and flight testing, according to a US Air Force statement reported by NBC News.NBC News also reported that Trump is considering making the inaugural flight of the newly refurbished plane when he travels to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota next month as part of celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
The plane was repainted in red, white and blue, replacing the traditional “Jackie Kennedy” livery.Pentagon officials told lawmakers in May that the cost of repairing the Qatari plane did not exceed $400 million.The Qatari Boeing 747 will serve as a bridge aircraft until two new 747 presidential jets, ordered at a cost of $5.6 billion, enter service.Air Force One is a call sign applied to any aircraft carrying the President of the United States, meaning multiple aircraft can be assigned under the title depending on operational needs.
