The US Air Force is working to fast-track the delivery of the new Air Force One amid rising impatience from President Donald Trump, officials told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Lieutenant General David Tabor and acting acquisitions chief Darlene Costello said efforts involve government and commercial partners, as delays persist due to workforce issues, supplier problems, and wiring design.
Trump, who authorized a $3.9 billion deal in his first term for two Boeing 747-8s, may not receive the aircraft before 2029, five years behind schedule.
“They can never finish the damn thing,” Trump said in February.
Facing setbacks such as cracked fuselage and window flaws, Trump has reportedly eyed a luxurious Qatari-owned 747 as an alternative presidential aircraft.