The White House, Qatar discusses the transportation of luxury aircraft to the first Air Force
The White House is conducting discussions with the royal family in Qatar to receive a luxury jumbo plane, dedicated to using it as a presidential plane on the first air force.
In a statement, Qatar denied that the plane was a gift, but said that the transportation of a plane to “temporary use” was under discussion between the two countries.
According to CBS News, a BBC’s news partner in America, the plane will be donated to the Trump Presidential Library at the end of his term.
The news comes as Trump is scheduled to visit Qatar this week as part of the first major foreign trip in his second term.
Ali Al -Azri, the media supplement in Qatar in the United States, said that the negotiations were continuing between the Ministry of Defense in Qatar and the US Department of Defense.
“It is still under review by the relevant legal departments, and no decision has been taken.”
The sources told CBS News that the plane will not be ready to use immediately because it will need to be modified and official by security officials.
Certainly, the potential value of the plane and its treatment raises legal and moral questions among critics.
On Sunday, White House press secretary Caroline Levit said, “Any gift made by a foreign government is always acceptable in full compliance with all the laws in force.
The current White House fleet includes two Boeing 747-200B aircraft for presidential use with private communication equipment and features such as offices, offices and conference hall, according to the US Air Force. The planes have been in use since 1990 and 1991.
Air Force is one of the aircraft is usually transported to other departments. According to the national archives, the Reagan Presidential Library only has an air force plane, and seven presidents flew before donating it.
Qatar is said to provide a copy of the Boeing 747-8 plane, which is a much further newer model. ABC News has been upgraded to “Flying Palace”.
Boeing was contracted to provide the White House with the latest aircraft, but Trump He complained earlier this year The company was behind the schedule. His administration initially negotiated with Boeing for two specialized planes 747-8 during his first administration.
The plane maker said the plane would not be available until 2027 or 2028.
Trump said in February: “No, I am not happy with Boeing. It took a long time to do it, as you know, Air Force One, we have made this contract a long time ago,” Trump said in February.
“We may buy a plane or get a plane, or something like this.”
Trump had a positive diplomatic relationship with Qatar during his first term, which included a declaration in 2019 that the country would buy a great purchase of American aircraft.
Qatar has also been presented by special planes as gifts to other countries, such as a luxury plane given to Turkey in 2018.