Trump changes planes on return from Ankara
Trump, who used his old plane while departing from the NATO Summit in Ankara, stated that the change was not made due to a technical malfunction or security reasons.
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US President Donald Trump's decision to change his presidential aircraft on his return journey following his visit to Ankara has sparked debate. Trump, who arrived in Turkey for the NATO Summit on the new Air Force One—which is reported to have been gifted to the US by Qatar—used his old presidential plane for the first leg of his journey when departing from Ankara.
After arriving at the Royal Air Force Mildenhall base in England, Trump switched back to the new Air Force One. In his statement regarding the plane change, he expressed that the decision was not linked to any technical malfunction or security concerns.
"THE ENTIRE BASE SAW THE PLANE"
Trump explained the reason for sending the new plane to England in advance was to allow the American soldiers stationed at the base to see the aircraft up close. He said he chose the old Air Force One to "remember the old days."
We sent the plane a little early to let them see it. The entire base came out, saw the plane, and then we landed.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that the visit took place "at the request of the entire base" and that there was almost no deviation in the flight route.
Traveling from Turkey to England on the old Air Force One, Trump used the new plane for the subsequent leg of his return journey to the US. When asked about claims that the new plane had mechanical issues or that the change was made for security reasons, he replied, "No, why would it be?"
Trump also said that they have been receiving serious threats from Iran for a long time, but did not share details regarding whether there was a new threat in the recent period. When asked about the instruction to close the window shades in the press cabin during the Turkey-England flight, he stated that this might have been taken due to potential security risks.