Maintaining the satisfaction of Donald Trump and the Air Force is crucial for Boeing, which 42 percent He obtains his revenues from US government contracts – says CNN.
The delivery of Air Force One in 2027 is much later than the originally planned date in 2022. However, it is a year or two years earlier than the Boeing recently predicted.
Trump expressed anger because of delays and apparently considering buying another aircraft that he would use temporarily.
Two currently used jet aircraft, which have the letter VC-25A letter code and wear the Air Force One designation when the president is on board, have been serving for almost 35 years, from the term of office of President George HW Bush. Replacing aircraft has long been Trump's priority.
Contract for Air Force One to “Stone”
The news about the potential delivery in 2027 came on Wednesday from Darlene Costello, acting as the head of the Air Force purchases, which testified before the Commission for the Armed Forces of the Chamber of Representatives on recent negotiations between the air forces and Boeing.
Data 2027 is possible “if we manage to reach a change in the requirements,” said Costello.
She meant alleviating contractual requirements, such as the “release” of Boeing by the Air Force from some of the highest safety requirements for employees performing work on the aircraft, which was blamed for some delays – explains CNN.
Boeing contract worth $ 3.9 billion For the replacement of two Air Force One aircraft, it has become an expensive stone. Boeing has already noted losses of $ 2.5 billion. – writes CNN.
Donald Trump to Boeing about Air Force One: I'm not happy
There are many reasons for delay. After signing the original contract in 2017, Boeing began renewing two planes 747 in February 2020, which he built for another customer, but never provided them because of the client's bankruptcy – a process that, in retrospect, was probably more expensive and more time -consuming than if he built them from scratch. The Covid-19 pandemic explosion caused additional, significant delays.
“I am not happy with the fact that it lasted so long,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One in February. “There is no excuse for this.” He said that he would not turn to the European rival Boeing, Airbus, but he would consider buying a used 747 and order to renew it for use as Air Force One.
Even before the office was taken for the first time in 2017, Trump complained about the cost of the contract with Boeing and threatened to cancel the existing contract. In February 2018, he negotiated the current contract for two aircraft, which allowed the Air Force to save $ 1.4 billion. Compared to the previous contract, as the White House informed. He asked the planes to be delivered by 2021.
Source: CNN
