Trump expected to use Qatar-donated Air Force One on Ireland trip

Donald Trump is expected to take the Qatar-donated Air Force One to Ireland next week, putting the luxury aircraft back in the spotlight after questions about its ability to protect the U.S. president.

Trump is due to arrive in Ireland next Saturday and hold separate meetings with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Dublin’s Phoenix Park. He will then travel to his Doonbeg golf course, where the Irish Open is scheduled to take place. The president is expected to fly from Dublin to Shannon Airport, possibly by helicopter, stay at his resort for the tournament and leave later on Sunday after it concludes.

The trip would mark the first time Trump has used the Qatari 747-8 on an overseas journey since concerns were raised about its defensive systems. The New York Times reported that Trump said the aircraft would be taken out of service for about a month for security upgrades. It remains unclear whether that work has been completed. A senior White House official, speaking on background, declined to discuss specific upgrades.

The aircraft was retrofitted quickly for use during Trump’s current term after two Boeing jets ordered for presidential travel suffered major delays. Those aircraft are being built as flying presidential command centres, with extensive systems designed to defend against missile attacks. The Qatari jet’s capabilities came under renewed scrutiny after Trump flew it to the NATO summit in Turkey in July, then switched to an older presidential aircraft for his departure, saying it was for “old times’ sake”. Reports later said officials had learned of a threat to the president and Air Force One in Turkey. Trump boarded the older plane at Ankara, but was subsequently moved to a military jet, while the older Air Force One served as a decoy.

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old times’ sake