Air Force One forced back after mid-air scare on Trump’s Davos trip

Air Force One forced back after mid-air scare on Trump’s Davos trip

It was meant to be a routine departure for one of the world’s most recognisable aircraft. Instead, US President Donald Trump’s journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos was briefly derailed when Air Force One was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff.

The White House confirmed that the presidential jet returned to Joint Base Andrews late on Tuesday night following what officials described as a “minor electrical issue”.

Air Force One has officially touched back down in DC after it was forced to turn around over the Atlantic Ocean due to an “electrical issue”

President Trump is good. The plane is being offloaded and soon 47 will be in another plane and head back out.

Merica’ pic.twitter.com/G1NDRH4kBi

Rus (@RusMetaX) January 21, 2026

Lights flicker, caution takes over

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the aircraft returned “out of an abundance of caution” and landed safely shortly after 11pm. Journalists travelling with the president reported that cabin lights briefly went out soon after the plane left the runway, an unsettling moment on an aircraft that symbolises American power and security.

There were no reports of injuries or major damage, but protocol left little room for risk.

Trump and his delegation are expected to continue their journey to Switzerland on a different aircraft.

🚨 AIR FORCE ONE TURNED BACK 🇺🇸✈️
President Donald Trump’s Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews about 1 hour after departure en route to Switzerland.

⚡️ White House says a “minor electrical issue” was detected after takeoff
💡 Reporters onboard say cabin lights briefly… pic.twitter.com/4ioYbRQS7K

Aviation Reporter (@TripppleSeven7) January 21, 2026

Davos trip still on the agenda

The president is heading to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum, where he is expected to face tense exchanges with European leaders. Among the contentious topics looming over the gathering is Trump’s renewed push regarding Greenland a move that has already stirred diplomatic discomfort across Europe.

Despite the delay, the White House signalled that Trump’s Davos schedule would proceed.

A plane heavy with symbolism and age

With its unmistakable blue-and-white livery, Air Force One is more than just a mode of transport. It is a flying command centre and a global symbol of the US presidency.

But the aircraft involved one of two heavily modified Boeing 747-200B jets has been in service since 1990, dating back to the administration of George H.W. Bush. Trump has long voiced frustration with the ageing fleet, often pointing to maintenance issues and repeated delays in replacing them.

Frustration with Boeing and a controversial alternative

Last year, Trump publicly said his administration was exploring alternatives to Boeing after setbacks in the delivery of two new 747-8 aircraft intended to replace the current jets.

The issue took a controversial turn in May, when US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a Boeing 747 offered by Qatar for Trump’s use as Air Force One. The aircraft valued at hundreds of millions of dollars immediately sparked constitutional, ethical and security debates in Washington.

Critics questioned whether a foreign-donated jet could ever meet the stringent security requirements of the presidential aircraft, while others raised alarms about the optics of accepting such a gift from a foreign government.

Online reaction and familiar unease

News of the emergency return quickly spread on social media, where reactions ranged from concern over aircraft safety to renewed criticism of the long-delayed Air Force One replacement programme.

For many observers, the incident reinforced an uncomfortable reality: the world’s most powerful office still relies on planes that are more than three decades old.

While Tuesday night’s scare ended safely, it added fresh urgency to ongoing questions about the future of Air Force One and how long the iconic aircraft can keep flying without incident.

{Source: IOL}

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