Boeing’s Air Force One Delays Extend to 2029 Amid Challenges

US President Donald Trump recently toured Boeing’s new Air Force One aircraft, which has failed to meet its original deadlines. Deliveries are now delayed to 2027 or 2028 — Trump’s final year in office — for the first plane. 

Initially scheduled for 2024, the pair of Boeing 747s have exceeded their budget by over US$2 billion due to design modifications, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions. In January, Boeing said that it had partnered with Elon Musk to expedite delivery of Air Force One, MBN reported.  However, according to Reuters, the Air Force One program may be further delayed until 2029 or years later.

Boeing executives attribute the delays to a range of factors, including global supply chain challenges, rising costs, and the aircraft’s unique complexities. The company has struggled not only with Air Force One but also across its broader production lines, as delays in aircraft manufacturing have significantly impacted the global aircraft leasing industry. Airbus and Boeing alike have failed to meet production targets, leading to rising leasing costs for airlines and disrupted delivery schedules. Boeing’s goal to produce 38 737 MAX aircraft per month remains hampered by regulatory constraints following last year’s safety concerns, as previously reported by MBN.

boeingIn response to the Air Force One delays, Boeing has been exploring solutions, including collaboration with Musk. Kelly Ortberg, CEO, Boeing, previously confirmed that discussions with Musk were underway to accelerate the aircraft’s completion. Meanwhile, Boeing anticipates continued financial strain, projecting cash burn through 1H25 before a potential return to positive cash flow later in the year. Its defense division also reported a US$5.41 billion loss in 2024 due to fixed-price contract overruns.

Boeing’s certification delays for the 777X add another layer of complexity to the company’s operations. Ortberg remains optimistic about long-term stability, emphasizing operational reforms and production system improvements. “We have a stable production system,” he stated. “Once we get through this, I expect approval by the second half of the year, enabling us to move to a higher production rate.”

Additionally, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced through his X account a new initiative to overhaul the nation’s air traffic control system. He calls for the participation of leading US technology firms, including Musk’s SpaceX, whose team is set to visit today the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia to assess systems and propose advances. Duffy’s plan aims to create a world-class, safer, and more efficient air traffic control network, leveraging expertise from the private sector, as part of an order given by Trump.

As modernization efforts accelerate, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), AFL-CIO, issued a press release on Feb. 15 expressing disappointment over the recent termination of probationary FAA employees without due process. David Spero, President, PASS National, criticized the decision, noting that messages of termination were sent via an unofficial email address late at night, affecting hundreds of workers. Many of those impacted are military veterans and dedicated public servants crucial to aviation safety.

“This draconian action will increase workload and place new responsibilities on an already stretched-thin workforce. Staffing decisions should be based on mission-critical needs, not arbitrary cuts, especially following three deadly aircraft accidents in the past month,” says Spero.