Where is the Jet Donated by Qatar to Trump?

The news outlet CNN reported on the issue of preparing the aircraft donated by Qatar to the U.S. President and wrote: Trump claims that the Qatari jet will be ready within six months to be used as “Air Force One” (the official presidential airplane); however, experts strongly doubt this.

According to Fararu, citing CNN, Donald Trump told reporters last month that the donated Qatari jet might be operational as Air Force One by February 2026; a date that, if realized, would be earlier than the delivery of the two presidential aircraft purchased from Boeing, which have experienced delays.

Trump: The Jet Will Be Ready Very Soon!

At the end of July, when reporters asked him when he expected to fly with the new jet, Trump said: "Much sooner than those others; those (planes) that are under construction."

However, aviation experts and former U.S. defense officials have serious doubts about this timeline, as upgrading an aircraft donated by a foreign government so that it meets the specific requirements needed to become Air Force One and ensures safety and security for the President’s flights—especially international flights—is an extremely crucial and delicate task.

Experts’ Doubts Regarding the Timeline

In this regard, Andrew Hunter, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force during the Biden administration, said he has observed that a budget exceeding $54 billion exists for hundreds of programs, including Air Force One; however, completing the preparation of this jet within this timeframe, if not impossible, will be very challenging—unless Trump waives some of the requirements necessary before the President can fly with the new aircraft.

Security Concerns

Aside from concerns about the timeframe, the 747-8 jet donated by Qatar has raised many questions and put the issue under close scrutiny by both the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States. Many in America are now discussing the legality and ethics of accepting such a gift, while others talk about the potential security threats that this issue could pose.

Nonetheless, Trump remains optimistic about this timeline.

Where is it Now?

It was previously reported that the donated aircraft was parked in the city of San Antonio in the state of Texas, waiting to receive the necessary upgrades; however, the ADS-B Exchange, a flight tracking site, reported that this aircraft flew on July 29 to the Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Since then, little information about this aircraft has appeared on public flight tracking sites, and the last recorded location of this aircraft was at the Texas state airport.