WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump recently explored a Boeing aircraft to examine its latest hardware and technological innovations, drawing attention to Boeing’s significant delays in delivering the upgraded versions of Air Force One, as confirmed by the White House on Saturday.

The visit took place at Palm Beach International Airport, where the 13-year-old private jet is currently stationed.

“President Trump is inspecting a new Boeing aircraft to see its modern features and technology,” stated Steven Cheung, the White House communications director. “This visit underscores the ongoing delays in the timely delivery of the new Air Force One, which was promised to be completed earlier.”

Air Force One, a specially modified Boeing 747, comprises two planes that have been in service for over 30 years. Boeing Inc. holds the contract for producing the new models, but their delivery has faced setbacks as the aerospace giant has incurred substantial financial losses related to the project.

The initial delivery timeline was set for 2024, but now the first updated plane is expected in 2027, and the second in 2028, coinciding with Trump’s last year in office, as reported by the U.S. Air Force.

Trump has openly criticized the escalating costs and delays surrounding the project. During a 2024 online conversation with Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk on Musk’s X platform, Trump claimed to have saved over $1 billion on the project by negotiating firmly with Boeing during his initial presidency.

“By simply asserting that I would not proceed with the project, I managed to negotiate a price drop of $1.6 billion for the same aircraft, aside from a more appealing paint job, to be honest,” Trump explained.

Musk, a notable billionaire who financed Trump’s 2024 campaign, is heading a new Department of Government Efficiency aimed at reducing government expenditure, eliminating certain agencies, and cutting down the federal workforce. His strategies have drawn some criticism.

Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, mentioned last month that Musk is collaborating with the company to expedite the production of the new Air Force One models.

In addition, Trump has shown interest in altering the color scheme of Air Force One from its traditional light blue to a darker shade. An earlier initiative by Trump to change the colors was halted by then-President Joe Biden, who indicated that more testing would be necessary, which could lead to further delays and increased expenses.

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