Boeing Maintains 2028 Target for New Air Force One Jets Despite Escalating Program Costs
Summary
Boeing has confirmed it is still on schedule to deliver two new Air Force One aircraft by 2028, though the company acknowledges that additional costs will be necessary to meet this deadline. The program, originally contracted in 2018 for $3.9 billion, has already seen costs swell to over $5 billion, and Boeing's Defense, Space & Security CEO Steve Parker indicated further cost increases are expected as wiring, structural work, and certifications are completed. The project involves converting two Boeing 747-8 aircraft into specialized presidential jets equipped with sophisticated communications and defensive systems, replacing the current Air Force One planes that have been in service since 1990. In the interim, the United States accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar in May 2025 to serve as a temporary bridge aircraft for presidential travel, though security concerns prompted President Trump to avoid using it for his return flight from Turkey. Even if Boeing meets the 2028 delivery target, the program will still be considered four years behind its original schedule.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Boeing's new Air Force One program remains on track for 2028 delivery but will incur additional cost overruns beyond the already-inflated $5 billion+ budget
- 2. The original 2018 contract was valued at $3.9 billion, meaning costs have already increased by more than $1 billion
- 3. A Qatari-donated Boeing 747 is currently serving as a temporary presidential aircraft while the new planes are completed
- 4. Security concerns surrounding the Qatari jet have raised questions about its reliability as a presidential transport solution
- 5. The 2028 delivery, if achieved, will still represent a four-year delay from the program's original schedule