US President Donald Trump’s designated aircraft, Air Force One, made an abrupt return to Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday after the crew reported a “minor electrical issue” during the flight to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
A US government motorcade was seen heading toward the Maryland base on Tuesday night (local time). White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to turn back was taken shortly after takeoff, when the Air Force One crew detected the issue and opted to return as a precaution.
A reporter travelling on the aircraft said the lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff, though no explanation was provided at the time.
The White House Rapid Response team later confirmed on social media that the problem had been identified mid-flight.
“Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The President and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland,” the post said.
The two aircraft currently serving as Air Force One have been in use for nearly four decades. Boeing has been developing replacements, but the programme has faced multiple delays.
Last year, Qatar’s ruling family gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to join the Air Force One fleet, a move that attracted significant scrutiny. The aircraft is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.
Leavitt joked with reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday night that the Qatari jet was “sounding much better” at the moment.
Trump was scheduled to meet several global leaders in Davos and had earlier described the Switzerland visit as an “interesting trip.” “I have no idea what’s going to happen, but you are well represented,” he said before departure.