Boeing Confirms 2028 Delivery for Air Force One but Warns of Higher Costs
Boeing Company BA | 0.00 | |
ROLLS ROYCE HOLDINGS RYCEY | 0.00 | |
DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA AG DLAKF | 0.00 |
Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) has said that it will deliver the next-generation Air Force One jets by 2028, as President Donald Trump favored the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 aircraft over the official Air Force One.
Boeing Says Aircraft to Cost More
According to a Reuters report on Sunday, Steve Parker, who is the CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said that the 2028 delivery timeline would result in further “cost growth” amid wiring, structural work and certifications, but said that the manufacturer was “on track for 2028.”
Boeing was awarded a $3.9 billion contract back in 2018 to build the aircraft. The program is currently running four years behind schedule and is billions over budget, the report said, with total costs passing $5 billion.
Trump Faces Criticism Over Qatar
The news comes as Trump has faced staunch criticism from Democratic lawmakers over the $400 million Qatar-gifted Boeing 747. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) had earlier called the aircraft the “Air Fraud One,” while Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) accused Trump of going on a “joy ride” in the jet instead of signing the bipartisan affordable housing bill.
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also delivered sharp criticism of the jet, calling the aircraft a national security threat and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Boeing’s Fuel-Efficiency Test
Meanwhile, the aircraft manufacturer announced it had begun a fuel-efficiency and noise-reduction flight-testing partnership with Germany’s Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTC:DLAKF) and aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (OTC:RYCEY) using the 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
On the other hand, Boeing, alongside airlines, airplane manufacturers, airports, and unions, urged lawmakers to pass a $20 billion funding package aimed at air traffic control upgrades.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by a Benzinga editor.
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