US President Donald Trump on Friday presented a modernized Boeing 747-8 aircraft, which is to become the new presidential aircraft Air Force One.
This is reported by Bloomberg reporters.
According to the American leader, the aircraft donated by the government of Qatar is "almost twice as large" as the previous model.
"Thanks to the extraordinary dedication of so many people here today, this plane has been transformed into a flying White House of a level of luxury the world has never seen," Trump said, speaking in front of the aircraft in a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base.
The aircraft, which the U.S. Air Force has designated the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft, will soon begin initial test flights after being converted for government use.
The aircraft is intended to be a temporary solution until Boeing's new fleet of presidential jets is delivered, expected in 2028.
The new aircraft features a white-burgundy-navy blue livery, a significant departure from the traditional light blue color scheme used for presidential jets for decades.
"We completely repainted it. These are new colors - red, white and blue. We liked the light blue, but it was time for a change. It is the most elegant design. Everything was designed very well. That's my taste," Trump said.
The president also said that the new, much larger aircraft require a larger hangar at the military base.
In addition, he announced his intention to organize a demonstration flight of the new aircraft over the White House and the Capitol on July 4 - US Independence Day.
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