US President Donald Trump left Turkey after the NATO summit aboard his previous Air Force One rather than the new jet received from Qatar. The retrofitted Boeing 747-8, valued at around 400 million dollars, continued onward to Britain without him. This flight marked the first international use of the luxury aircraft donated by the Qatari royal family. Trump stated on his social media account that the new plane was directed to a British airbase to let service members examine it. He noted the excitement around the aircraft and chose the older plane from Turkey for sentimental reasons. The switch took place during renewed US-Iran tensions after a ceasefire ended. Reports indicate the US Secret Service requested the change for security reasons. Although upgraded, the newer jet does not fully match the older plane’s capabilities. Trump mentioned ongoing threats and described himself as a top target from Iran, while highlighting the dangers of the presidency.
