WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was briefly disrupted Tuesday when Air Force One was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews shortly after departing due to a technical issue. The unscheduled landing prompted a roughly two-and-a-half hour delay to the President’s travel plans, requiring a switch to a smaller aircraft for the transatlantic flight. The incident raises fresh scrutiny regarding the age and maintainance of the aging Air Force One fleet, as the program to replace the aircraft faces ongoing delays.
WASHINGTON | A technical malfunction forced Air Force One to turn back en route to Switzerland on Tuesday, disrupting President Donald Trump’s travel plans to the World Economic Forum in Davos. The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff, prompted a precautionary return to Joint Base Andrews.
According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, a minor electrical issue prompted the decision to land the aircraft. Passengers onboard, including members of the press, reported that lights in the press cabin went out shortly after the plane left the ground. Authorities informed those on board of the return approximately 30 minutes into the flight.
President Trump ultimately continued his journey aboard a C-32, a modified Boeing 757 typically used for domestic travel. He departed for Davos later that night, arriving in time for the opening of the World Economic Forum. The incident highlights the logistical complexities of presidential travel and the importance of maintaining a secure and reliable air fleet.
The two aircraft currently serving as Air Force One are both approximately four decades old, and the delivery of their replacements has been delayed. Air Force One aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including shielding against radiation and missile defense systems, designed to ensure the president’s safety.
Levitt jokingly noted that had a recently gifted Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Qatari ruling family been fully prepared for use, the situation might have been avoided. “We are currently in the process of making modifications and conducting security checks on that aircraft,” she said.
This isn’t the first time a U.S. government aircraft has experienced a similar issue. Previously, planes carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were also forced to return to base due to technical malfunctions, according to early reports.
