New Air Force One flight plans scrapped, Trump says he'll depart aboard "the former" plane

• US President Donald Trump said he will fly from Turkiye to the UK aboard the former Air Force One instead of the new Qatari-gifted aircraft.
• The $400 million jet has faced legal, ethical, and security scrutiny over its transfer to the US.

US President Donald Trump announced that he will not leave Turkiye aboard the new aircraft gifted by Qatar, choosing instead to fly to the UK on the former Air Force One.

Trump said the switch was made to allow US service members stationed at Mildenhall Air Force Base in the United Kingdom to tour the new aircraft.

“Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

“For old time’s sake, we’ll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey to Mildenhall,” he added, calling it a chance for “our Great Military Heroes” to see the new addition to the Air Force fleet.

The new aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 estimated to be worth about $400 million, has raised legal, ethical, and national security concerns over its transfer to the US government.

The US Air Force has said the aircraft is “safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission.”

A source familiar with the matter raised questions about the aircraft’s capabilities for international presidential travel, according to CNN.

The former Air Force One, a heavily modified Boeing 747-200, had specialized features including the ability to refuel in midair.