Davos: US President Donald Trump’s journey to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum faced an unexpected interruption on Tuesday night when his aircraft encountered a technical problem shortly after takeoff. According to reports, Air Force One was forced to turn back mid-flight and return to the United States as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft had departed from Joint Base Andrews near Washington and was en route to Davos when crew members detected a minor electrical malfunction. As a safety protocol, the decision was taken to abort the flight and head back to base. The plane reportedly landed about an hour after departure, following a reversal over the Atlantic route.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that the issue was identified onboard and described it as a “minor electrical issue,” adding that the move to return was purely precautionary. No injuries or major disruptions were reported, and the president remained safe throughout the incident.
Journalists travelling with the president said there was a brief moment of concern onboard when lights in the press section of the aircraft flickered and went out shortly after takeoff. While the White House has not released a detailed technical briefing so far, officials indicated that there was no emergency situation.
After landing, President Trump was escorted away from the aircraft by his motorcade. Officials said alternative travel arrangements were immediately put in motion, and the president is expected to continue his journey to Davos on a different aircraft to attend the high-profile global economic summit.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the aging fleet used for presidential travel. The United States currently operates two Air Force One aircraft, one of which has been in service for nearly four decades. Plans to replace the planes have been underway for years, with Boeing tasked with delivering new aircraft, though the programme has faced repeated delays.
In a separate development earlier in 2025, the Trump administration accepted a Boeing 747-8 from Qatar’s royal family, which is expected to be modified for future presidential use. However, the transition to newer aircraft is still in progress.
