Air Force One turned back as it carried Donald Trump to Davos
US President Donald Trump was forced to return to base after Air Force One experienced a minor electrical problem shortly after departing for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The aircraft, carrying President Trump, senior aides, and members of the press, left Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Tuesday night but turned back approximately one hour into the flight. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the return was due to a “minor electrical issue.”
Following the delay, President Trump resumed his trip aboard a smaller Boeing 757, an aircraft typically used for domestic travel and smaller airports. The plane departed just after midnight on Wednesday, more than two hours after the original flight took off.
Air Force One is one of the most recognizable aircraft in the world, serving as a powerful symbol of the US presidency. The current planes have been in service for nearly 40 years and feature advanced security systems, including radiation shielding, anti-missile defenses, and global communications technology.
Boeing has been working on replacements for the aging fleet, but the project has faced multiple delays. In 2024, Qatar’s ruling family gifted the US a luxury Boeing 747-8 intended for future Air Force One use, though it is still undergoing security upgrades.
Mechanical issues have affected other senior US officials’ aircraft in recent months. In February, a plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio returned to Washington due to technical problems, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s military aircraft made an emergency landing in the UK in October after a windshield crack.
Despite the setback, President Trump is expected to attend meetings with global leaders and deliver a speech at the Davos forum as scheduled.
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