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Trump's flight to Davos aborted due to technical issue
U.S. President Donald Trump was forced to switch aircraft mid-journey after the plane carrying him to Switzerland experienced an electrical malfunction shortly after takeoff on Wednesday.
Electrical fault grounds presidential flight
The Boeing 747-200B, operating under the call sign Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland following what the White House described as a "minor electrical issue." Reporters traveling with the president reported a brief power outage in the press cabin before the aircraft turned back.
Trump later departed for Davos on a replacement plane and is expected to arrive approximately three hours behind his original schedule of 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT).
Air Force One fleet faces maintenance challenges
The U.S. Air Force currently operates two Boeing 747-200B aircraft for presidential travel, both of which have been in service since 1990. While the planes have undergone upgrades, rising maintenance costs for their aging airframes and engines have become a growing concern.
Trump has publicly criticized Boeing over delays in delivering two new 747-8 aircraft intended to replace the existing fleet. Last year, his administration announced it was exploring alternatives to the aerospace manufacturer.
In May, the U.S. accepted a $400 million (£301 million) Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, with the White House stating the aircraft would eventually be transferred to Trump's presidential library. The move drew criticism, as the U.S. government will cover retrofitting expenses.
Davos speech and Greenland dispute dominate agenda
Trump is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum in Davos at 14:30 local time (13:30 GMT). His speech is expected to focus on pressing European leaders to support U.S. interests, including his controversial proposal to acquire Greenland.
The president has framed the acquisition as a national security priority and has not ruled out military action to secure the territory. Greenland's government, along with Denmark-of which Greenland is a semi-autonomous region-and several NATO allies, including France, Sweden, and Germany, have rejected the idea.
Trump has warned of potential trade tariffs against nations opposing his plan, escalating diplomatic tensions ahead of his Davos appearance.
Schedule adjustments unclear amid delay
It remains uncertain how the flight disruption will affect Trump's packed agenda in Davos, which includes bilateral meetings with foreign leaders and a reception with business executives.
