09.07.2026 08:50
US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara for the NATO Summit on the new Air Force One, gifted by Qatar. However, when leaving Turkey, Trump preferred the old presidential aircraft, switching back to the new Air Force One in England. Trump explained that the change was made "for the sake of old times," and that the new aircraft was sent to the base in England to be seen by American soldiers stationed there.
US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara for the NATO Summit with the new Air Force One, which was a gift from Qatar. However, when leaving Turkey, Trump chose the old presidential plane, and switched back to the new Air Force One in England. He explained the reason for the change on his social media account.
ARRIVED IN ANKARA WITH THE NEW AIR FORCE ONE
US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for the 36th NATO Summit with the new Air Force One, a gift from Qatar and converted into a presidential aircraft. The new plane, which drew attention throughout the summit, was also used during Trump's first overseas trip.
LEFT TURKEY WITH THE OLD PLANE
When leaving Ankara after the summit, Trump made an unexpected decision. Instead of the new Air Force One that brought him to Turkey, he took off with the old blue-white presidential plane.
Arriving at RAF Mildenhall Base in England with the old Air Force One, Trump switched back to the new plane gifted by Qatar and continued his return journey to Washington with this aircraft.
HE EXPLAINED THE REASON
In a post on his social media account, Trump said he flew from Ankara to England with the old Air Force One "for the sake of old times."
Stating that the new Air Force One was sent to the same base so that American soldiers serving at RAF Mildenhall Base could see the aircraft up close, Trump said, "For the soldiers to see it. It's truly a magnificent plane."
In a later post, the US President noted that he reunited with the new Air Force One in England and expressed that the base personnel were very excited to see the plane.
THE NEW AIR FORCE ONE IS AT THE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY
The Boeing 747 aircraft, gifted to the US by Qatar, began to be used as a temporary presidential plane due to delays in Boeing's next-generation Air Force One deliveries. The plane, which has been the subject of security and cost debates, draws attention with its red, white, dark blue, and gold design preferred by Trump.