Jakarta, ThedailyID — US President Donald Trump plans to use a luxury jet gifted by Qatar as Air Force One during his trip to Ireland later this month.
The plan was first reported by The Washington Post and later confirmed by a senior White House official, according to CNN.
The decision has drawn attention because Trump used the same aircraft during a trip to Turkey two months ago. He reportedly left the country on another aircraft over security concerns surrounding the jet.
The Boeing aircraft has an estimated value of US$400 million, or around Rp7.05 trillion based on an exchange rate of Rp17,630 per US dollar. Qatar gave the aircraft to the United States without conditions.
However, sources cited by CNN said the jet does not yet have all the security capabilities needed for presidential travel in high-risk international environments.
Trump himself acknowledged some of the aircraft’s limitations after returning from Turkey in late July. He said the jet still required upgrades before it could operate at its full capacity.
“The aircraft already has many features, but maximizing it so it can fly anywhere will take about 60 days,” Trump said, cited from multiple sources, Sunday (06/09/26).
Despite those concerns, Trump continued using the aircraft for domestic trips throughout the summer. The White House also defended his plan to use it for the upcoming Ireland visit.
A senior White House official said the aircraft’s security upgrades would take place this fall. The official also argued that the jet remains safe for lower-risk international travel, such as the planned trip to Ireland.
Trump has also shown strong enthusiasm for the aircraft. When he first introduced it at Joint Base Andrews earlier this summer, he called it “the most luxurious plane in the world.”
The aircraft is expected to be transferred to a presidential museum at the end of Trump’s presidency.
For now, however, Trump plans to continue using the luxury jet despite questions over its security capabilities and the timing of its scheduled upgrades.
