Air Force One (AP photo)
US President Donald Trump’s designated aircraft, Air Force One, made a sharp U-turn and returned to Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday after the crew reported a “minor electrical issue” during his trip to Davos for the World Economic Forum. A US government motorcade was seen heading toward the Maryland base on Tuesday night (local time).
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to turn back was taken shortly after takeoff, after the Air Force One crew detected a “minor electrical issue” and chose to return as a precaution.A reporter on board the aircraft said the lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff, though no explanation was provided at the time.The White House Rapid Response team also confirmed on social media that the issue had been identified mid-flight.“Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The President and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland,” the post said.The two planes has been serving as presidential vehicle — Air Force One in service for nearly four decades. Boeing has been developing replacements, but the program has hit by multiple delays. Last year, Qatar’s ruling family gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to join the Air Force One fleet, a move that drew major scrutiny.The plane is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.Leavitt joked to reporters on Air Force One Tuesday night that the Qatari jet was “sounding much better” at the moment.The aircraft was expected to land at Joint Base Andrews around 11 pm (local time).Trump was scheduled to meet several global leaders in Davos and had earlier described the Switzerland visit as an “interesting trip.” “I have no idea what’s going to happen, but you are well represented,” he said before departure.
