Trump Leaves Turkey On Old Air Force One, Boards New Jet In Britain Amid Iran Tensions

Last Updated:July 09, 2026, 10:12 IST

Asked whether security concerns prompted the decision, Trump did not give a direct answer but said he remained "No. 1 on the kill list for Iran."

US-Iran Tensions: US President Donald Trump unexpectedly switched from the newly retrofitted Qatari-donated Air Force One to an older presidential aircraft while returning from the NATO summit in Turkey, sparking fresh questions over security amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Trump arrived in Turkey aboard the newly renovated Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar to attend the high-stakes NATO summit. However, he chose to fly from Ankara to RAF Mildenhall in the UK on the legacy baby blue Air Force One. At the British airbase, he boarded the new aircraft for the final leg of the journey back to Washington.

The surprise switch came as the US and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes. Asked whether security concerns prompted the decision, Trump did not give a direct answer but said he remained “No. 1 on the kill list for Iran."

Additionally, the press on board were asked to shut the blinds next to their seats. When asked on the matter, Trump said, “Because you are probably on a dangerous flight… These (Iranians) are sick people… I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list… But if I go, you go. Perhaps, someday you might want to change professions."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that he would use an older baby blue Air Force One plane “for old time’s sake" to fly from Ankara to RAF Mildenhall in Britain while the new plane stopped at the same base so US service members stationed there could tour the aircraft.

Service members at the base “were very excited, picture enclosed. It was on our way back to the States from Turkey, with virtually no deviation of flightpath," he said.

The new plane, with red, white, dark blue and gold livery chosen by Trump, is a Boeing 747 gifted to the United States by Qatar last year and refitted by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies.

The upgrades to the jet from Qatar were completed so quickly that some experts expressed concern the plane may not be as secure as the existing Air Force One aircraft.

The Qatari jet’s acceptance had drawn scrutiny. Retrofitting the luxury plane required security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent eavesdropping and missile defense capabilities, experts said.

Democratic lawmakers estimated the conversion cost more than $1 billion and raised concerns about its security.

A second aircraft that can operate as Air Force One is always on standby during presidential trips.

The Air Force’s fast-track effort to ready the jet skipped some planned modifications for the next-generation presidential aircraft in order to deliver an interim version sooner.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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