Trump Trip to Davos Delayed by Air Force One Mechanical Issue

CAMP SPRINGS, MD — President Trump’s trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, faced an unexpected delay Tuesday night after Air Force One was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews. The aircraft suffered a minor electrical issue shortly after takeoff. It’s standard protocol for the crew to prioritize safety, and the decision was made to bring the plane back to the Maryland facility for an inspection. Upon landing, the president and his traveling party transferred to a backup plane to begin the nine-hour flight to Europe. While these types of mechanical issues are rare given the high maintenance standards for the presidential fleet, they've happened before. The timing of this particular breakdown is notable as world leaders and corporate executives gather in Switzerland for the annual summit. The incident highlights the ongoing and costly process of modernizing the presidential aircraft. Currently, taxpayers are funding the retrofitting of a luxury jet previously provided by Qatar, along with two new Boeing 747-8 planes. According to the Air Force record, these Boeing jets have seen significant delays and are now scheduled for delivery in mid-2028. In 2018, the purchase price for that project was nearly $4 billion. Trump was originally scheduled to take the stage in Davos at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. White House officials haven't confirmed how much the schedule will shift, but the delay is expected to push back his remarks concerning national security and the U.S. economy. ------------------------------ At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at <a href="mailto:tips@cleveland13news.com">tips@cleveland13news.com</a>. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.