US Presidents plane diverted en route to World Economic Forum in Switzerland

US President Donald Trump’s Plane Makes U-Turn Before Resuming Journey to Davos

Air Force One, carrying the US president and his entourage, returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday night after departing its base for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the plane was forced to make a U-turn due to a “minor electrical issue”.

The plane then resumed its journey on a smaller Boeing 757, which departed shortly after midnight local time on Wednesday. The initial flight had taken off more than two hours earlier.

Air Force One is a distinctive aircraft used for official trips by the US president. It has been in service for nearly four decades and features advanced technology, including radiation shielding and antimissile protection. The plane’s design and capabilities have undergone several upgrades over the years, with the latest addition being a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet gifted to Trump by the ruling family of Qatar.

The US Air Force has been working on replacing the current fleet of Air Force One planes, but the programme has faced delays. In recent months, there have been instances of mechanical issues affecting other military aircraft carrying high-ranking officials.

Source: Al Jazeera