Emirates airline president reveals staggering cost to transform Qatari ‘sky Palace' into Trump's new Air Force One jet
DONALD Trump's luxury "sky Palace" gifted to him by Qatar will cost a few billion dollars, says the President of Emirates airline.
The US government now faces a "Herculean task" to transform the huge
9
President Trump boards Air Force One earlier this month
Credit: Reuters
9
President of Emirates airline Sir Tim Clark believes it will cost a few billion dollars to properly transform it into a replacement Air Force One
Credit: Emirates
9
A look inside the lavish $400million plane shows the Boeing kitted out in gold
Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight
9
President Trump, 78, sparked concerns earlier this month with his willingness to
family
.
The giant gift, worth an estimated $400m (£300m), has raised several ethical questions about if the US leader should be allowed to accept such expensive goods from other states.
But despite the controversy, Trump gladly took the 13-year-old mega jet back to Washington with him.
He now plans to make it part of his Air Force One fleet alongside two other Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets.
read more in Donald Trump
They have been operational since 1990 but are now said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes such as
Qatar
's 747-8.
In order for it to become a fully fledged member of the president's aviation
arsenal
however, it will need to go through some serious work.
It would have to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before ever ferrying around Trump.
And significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials would be required.
Most read in The US Sun
Sir Tim, president of Emirates, told
He explained to Piers: 'I think you're talking a couple of billion dollars to start with.
Trump's new $400m Qatari Air Force One jet from Qatar is 'hackers dream'
"Just roll back a little bit and look at what it takes for us to convert our 777s - from the old to the new - because we haven't got the Boeing's coming in at the pace we want them so we're having to reconfigure all of them."
The top aviation boss said trying to fix up all the jets as an airline has been an extremely tough task.
Tim admitted to "pulling his
hair
out" over the regulators and the tiny tweaks that have to be made to modernise a plane of that size and stature.
And he believes the US government will face an even trickier - and much more expensive - battle to get the gifted plane ready for presidential trips.
He said: "It's a Herculean task, make no mistake about it.
"Whether President Trump will adapt fully, this present from
Qatar
, to an Air Force One I doubt it, but he'll certainly get a lot of it done."
Aviation specialist Jeff Wise also told The Sun that he expects the Air Force One replacement to
Trump's Air Force One jets currently in use come with dozens of specialised security
features
.
9
Donald Trump's new 'sky Palace' which he has been gifted from the Qatari government
Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight
9
The jet would need to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before being used as Air Force One
Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight
9
The plane marks the most expensive gift ever given to a US president
Credit: YouTube/Spotti Flight
These include armoured glass and plating, on board flares to confuse enemy missiles, mirror-ball defences and even an electric jamming system.
Another unique yet needed element is an electromagnetic shield for nuclear explosions.
This has to be on a presidential plane as the leader of Washington can actually launch a nuke from the aircraft.
But the new Qatari jet lacks most of these security features.
Instead, the
It also has glittering gold-coloured furnishings and hallways that echo Trump's well-know interior design preferences.
The president is believed to have spent an hour inspecting the plan when when it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport back in February.
The
luxury
Boeing was once even listed for a whopping $400 million, according to the
Business
Jet Traveler.
During his first stint in office, Trump had ordered two new Air Force One jumbo jets from Boeing to replace the pair that have been in service since George H. W. Bush's presidency.
But the Boeing contract has faced delays, and reports suggest the new plans would not be ready until after Trump leaves the Oval Office.
Fears Trump's new Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS – or worse
By Chief Foreign Reporter, Katie Davis
A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned.
The Boeing 747 - dubbed
He fears Trump may bypass necessary measures to save time and money - which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt.
Wise told The Sun: 'This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other.
'The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump.
'If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you.
'This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It's just wide open.
'This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They're using these off-brand apps to communicate. It's just a hacker's dream.'
Wise continued: 'I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One.
'America's list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.'
9
Trump sparked concern after he willingly accepted the plush plane from the Qatari royal family, headed by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tanim bin-Hamad Al Thani
Credit: AP
9
Air Force One is one of the most guarded and secure jets in the world
Credit: AP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Tensions in Middle East ramp up as B-2 stealth bombers leave US for possible strike on Iranian targets
TENSIONS in the Middle East ramped up further yesterday as B-2 stealth bombers left the US for a possible strike on Iran. US president Donald Trump is believed to have signed off on a hit on the rogue state's underground atomic plant at Fordow. 4 Middle East tensions rise as B-2 stealth bombers left the US for a possible strike on Iran Credit: Alamy 4 Missiles fired from Iran in retaliation for Israeli attacks Credit: Getty It came after a Trump, who said on Thursday he would decide whether to join the offensive 'within two weeks', yesterday gave Israel free rein to continue attacking its enemy Iran. Meanwhile, B-2 bombers took off from the US and were thought to be heading to the Andersen Air Force Base on the Pacific island of Guam. The powerful B-2 Spirit is the only aircraft capable of delivering the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs needed to smash Iran's atomic site at Fordow, south of READ MORE ON IRAN Waves of attacks would be needed to destroy the plant, which is encased in steel under a mountain. Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is also said to be sheltering in a bunker as Israel targets military leaders and nuclear facilities in his country. US officials last night said no orders had yet been given to move the B-2s beyond Guam. But it ramped up more pressure on Khamenei to cut a deal — with Trump demanding Iran scrap its nuclear and ballistic missile plans. Most read in The Sun Meanwhile, a suspected spy linked to Iran was arrested amid fears he was spearheading a massive attack on UK forces in Cyprus. Sources said he was posing as a British tourist when he was detained near the RAF's Akrotiri base with a large camera with telephoto lenses. US deploys bunker-buster bomb carrying B-2 planes to new military base as Iran tensions grow He was also found to have three mobile phones when armed officers swooped on Friday. Police sources confirmed yesterday he was being held on suspicion of terror-related offences and espionage. He is suspected to have links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Police swooped on him in the Zakaki suburb of Limassol. He has been in the country since April and is feared to have been mapping troops and jets. The Foreign Office confirmed he was a British national who is understood to be of Azerbaijani descent. 4 The apparent remains of a ballistic missile lying on the ground in northern Israel Credit: Reuters Akrotiri — where hundreds of British pilots, troops and back-up staff are based — is just 200 miles from Israel and well within range of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal. Britain and the US have been warned by Khamenei that their bases will be hit if their forces join Israel. The suspect appeared before the Limassol District Court on Friday and was remanded in custody for eight days pending inquiries. Cypriot sources said he was understood to have had the sprawling UK airbase 'under surveillance' and also watched Cyprus's own Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos. Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar yesterday also claimed Iran tried to carry out an attack on Israeli citizens in Cyprus. Extra £3k in Persian MI5 jobs By Dominik Lemanski SPYMASTERS are offering £3,000 bonuses to recruit Persian speakers to tackle Iranian terror. Persian Language Specialists at MI5 and MI6 will support investigations to block Tehran-backed assassins and kidnappers. Recruits will be paid up to £44,818 with £3,000 a year extra on qualification. An advert, which is also hiring for GCHQ, reads: 'We're looking for Persian linguists for a role that goes well beyond translation and transcription. 'You will be a significant asset in helping to safeguard the UK.' In April last year, Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati, 37, was stabbed in South West London, in an attack believed to have been ordered by Tehran. It was not known if it was linked to the Brit's arrest. Cyprus has become a transit point for stranded travellers since Israeli airspace was shut at the start of Operation Rising Lion nine days ago. Britain has upped the number of RAF Typhoons at Akrotiri and sent extra Voyager air-to-air refuellers. British and US warjets have previously helped shoot down Iranian missiles fired at Israel. But Sir Keir Starmer's government has so far kept the RAF out of the war amid fears of further escalation. Meanwhile, Israel Defence Forces' biggest scalp yesterday was terror kingpin Saeed Izadi — the financial mastermind of the Izadi, head of the Palestinian Division of Iran's Quds Force, was killed in a strike on a 'safe house' in the Iranian city of Qom. The Israeli military's Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir said: 'Izadi was one of the key figures involved in planning and executing the October 7 massacre. The blood of thousands of Israelis is on his hands.' 4 Israel's biggest scalp yesterday was terror kingpin Saeed Izadi Credit: @IDF The Israeli military later said it killed another commander of the Guards' overseas arm, Benham Shariyari, in western Tehran. He was said to be 'responsible for weapons transfers from the Iranian regime to its proxies across the Middle East'. An 11th nuclear scientist was also assassinated at a safe house located by Israeli intelligence. Iran's foreign minister said he will not negotiate while attacks continued. But Trump hit back: 'It's very hard to make that request right now. Israel is doing well, in terms of war, and…Iran is doing less well.' But he added: 'We're ready, willing and able and we've been speaking to Iran.' Iran fired more missiles at Israel overnight which were intercepted amid reports of minimal damage. Palestine marcher in 'bottle hurl' bust By Eleanor Gunn PRO-Palestine protester was arrested after a bottle was thrown at marchers supporting Israel in London yesterday. His missile fell short but the suspect was chased down The Strand and detained, police said. Thousands of pro- Palestine demonstrators chanted 'Shame on you' as they passed a pro-Israel counter-protest on Waterloo Bridge. Later, footage emerged seeming to show a protester in a keffiyeh scarf performing a Nazi salute. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed crowds. He said politicians were seeking to 'turn people who protest against the invasion of Iran or the occupation of Palestine into terrorists'. Yesterday's protests came as ministers draw up plans to ban group Palestine Action under anti-terror laws. It came after two yobs from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton Oxfordshire on Friday and doused jets in paint
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
B-2 bombers moving to Guam amid Middle East tensions, US officials say
The United States is moving B-2 bombers to the Pacific island of Guam, two US officials told Reuters on Saturday, as President Donald Trump weighs whether the United States should take part in Israel's strikes against Iran. It was unclear whether the bomber deployment was tied to Middle East tensions. The B-2 can be equipped to carry America's 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to destroy targets deep underground. That is the weapon that experts say could be used to strike Iran's nuclear program, including Fordow. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, declined to disclose any further details. One official said no forward orders had been given yet to move the bombers beyond Guam. They did not say how many B-2 bombers are being moved. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Experts and officials are closely watching to see whether the B-2 bombers will move forward to a US-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Experts say that Diego Garcia is in an ideal position to operate in the Middle East. The United States had B-2 bombers on Diego Garcia up until last month, when they were replaced with B-52 bombers. Israel said on Saturday it had killed a veteran Iranian commander during attacks by both sides in the more than week-long air war, while Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear program while under threat. Israel says Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, while Iran says its atomic program is only for peaceful purposes. Trump has said he would take up to two weeks to decide whether the United States should enter the conflict on Israel's side, enough time "to see whether or not people come to their senses," he said. Reuters was first to report this week the movement of a large number of tanker aircraft to Europe and other military assets to the Middle East, including the deployment of more fighter jets. An aircraft carrier in the Indo-Pacific is also heading to the Middle East. Read More Nuclear diplomacy stuck, Israel says it killed top Iran commander
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Huge carmaker ‘may sell iconic luxury motor brand' as sales dive and new CEO takes charge
ONE of the world's largest car manufacturers looks set to sell an iconic sports car brand as sales plummet. Discussions over the future of Maserati remain ongoing as industry giant Stellantis prepares to welcome its new CEO in the coming days. Advertisement 5 Discussions over the future of Maserati remain ongoing Credit: Alamy 5 Stellantis could be forced to sell the luxury car brand Credit: Reuters 5 Last year, the number of Maserati units sold plunged from 26,600 to just 11,300 Credit: Alamy The French-Italian company could be forced to sell the luxury car brand on the back of poor sales over the past year. New CEO Antonio Filosa - who starts on Monday after being appointed last month - faces huge financial decisions as a result of President Trump's brutal trade tariffs. Stellantis - which owns 14 brands across the globe - was McKinsey was called in April this year to advise on struggling brands Maserati and Alfa Romeo, with both experiencing a dire 2024. Advertisement Read more in Motors Last year, the number of Maserati units sold plunged from 26,600 to just 11,300. Stellanis told : "McKinsey has been asked to provide its considerations regarding the recently announced U.S. tariffs for Alfa Romeo and Maserati." Trump's new legislation means tariffs of at least 25 percent on anything imported into the US. Maserati has no new model launches scheduled as it waits for a new business plan , with the last one having been put on hold by Stellantis in 2024. Advertisement Most read in Motors The plan is expected to be presented soon after Filosa starts his new role. But as things stand, it is understood that all options remain on the table for the world-renowned Italian brand. It came after the global firm pulled the plug on a £1.3billion investment in Maserati earlier this year. Advertisement WHO ARE STELLANTIS? The EV, which translates to 'lightning' in Italian, was intended to be the brand's electric alternative to the stunning MC20 sports car. It promised a power output and performance characteristics similar to the existing V6-engined MC20 . The Folgore was set to be one of six Maserati EVs set for launch over the next year or so. But Stellantis chief financial officer Doug Ostermann said they had pulled the plug on Maserati projects, claiming they wanted to review the pace in which sports car owners move over to EVs. Advertisement He said: "We have to recognise the dynamics in that business, particularly in the Chinese market, and our expectations in terms of how quickly that luxury market would transition to electrification." What is Stellantis? Stellantis is the company behind iconic motor brands such as Fiat, Vauxhall and Peugot. The conglomerate, which is the second-largest maker of cars in Europe, owns 14 badges, including Chrysler, Citroen, Jeep and Maserati. The company itself is the product of a merger between Fiat-Chrysler and France's PSA, the maker of Peugeot and Citroen, in 2021. But the motoring giant has encountered increasingly stuttering financial success. And an initial manufacturing break at Stellantis has now been extended as bosses report a collapse in demand for electric cars . Other projects, including EV replacements for the Levante and Quattroporte models , are in danger of being cancelled too. The vehicles were set to be released in 2027 and 2028 respectively. It is understood the three models would have been Maserati's electric line-up as the firm looked to adapt to the EV revolution. Advertisement Before he left the firm last year, Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares claimed the low sales at Maserati were due to advertising issues. He told Top Gear: "Maserati is in the red. The reason is marketing. "The Maserati brand is not clearly positioned and the storytelling is not how it should be. "The brand is not just about sports cars, it's about gran turismo, it's about quality of life, dolce vita and technology." Advertisement 5 Former Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said the low sales at Maserati were due to advertising issues Credit: Alamy 5 Maserati has no new model launches scheduled as it waits for a new business plan Credit: Alamy
