A “minor electrical issue” forced Air Force One to turn back to Maryland less than an hour after departing Tuesday night for Davos, Switzerland, with President Trump on board, according to White House officials. The president later continued his trip on a different aircraft about an hour afterward.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters traveling with the president that shortly after takeoff from Joint Base Andrews, the flight crew detected a minor electrical problem. As a precaution, they decided to return to the base.
Air Force One landed back at Joint Base Andrews at 11:07 p.m. Eastern Time.
Reporters on board said the lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff, though officials did not provide further details about the cause.
After returning, President Trump boarded another aircraft that departed shortly after midnight. The second plane was an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 typically used for presidential travel to smaller domestic airports, according to the Associated Press.
Mr. Trump is traveling to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum. He was scheduled to speak at the forum around 8:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, shortly after his expected arrival.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is already in Davos, said the president would arrive about three hours later than planned.
“This will be an interesting trip,” Trump told reporters on the White House lawn before heading to Joint Base Andrews. “I have no idea what is going to happen. But you are well represented.”
Currently, two modified Boeing 747 aircraft serve as Air Force One. Both have been in operation since 1990 and were originally expected to be replaced in 2024. However, according to the U.S. Air Force, delivery of the first replacement aircraft has been delayed until 2027, with the second now expected in 2028.
Last summer, Mr. Trump confirmed that the Qatari royal family donated a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet valued at approximately $400 million for eventual use as Air Force One. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said in June that refurbishing the aircraft could cost several hundred million dollars before it would be ready for presidential service.