Washington, D.C. — Air Force One was forced to turn back to the United States on Tuesday night after experiencing a minor technical issue while en route to Switzerland, delaying U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
According to ABC News, the presidential aircraft departed from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, but returned roughly one hour later, landing at approximately 11:07 p.m. White House officials confirmed the aircraft was diverted due to a “minor electrical issue” and stressed that there was no danger to the president or passengers onboard.
A reporter traveling with the press pool stated that lights in the press cabin briefly went out shortly after takeoff, though no immediate explanation was provided at the time. About 30 minutes into the flight, reporters were informed that the plane would not continue to Switzerland as scheduled. Trump is expected to travel on an alternative aircraft.
The Air Force One fleet currently consists of two heavily modified Boeing 747-200 aircraft that have been in service for nearly four decades. Boeing has been working on replacement aircraft, but the program has faced repeated delays. Air Force One planes are equipped with advanced defense and communication systems, including missile countermeasures, radiation shielding, and secure military command capabilities.
The incident has renewed attention on recent aviation issues involving senior U.S. officials. Earlier this year, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio was forced to return to Washington due to mechanical problems, while a military aircraft transporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in the United Kingdom after a cracked windshield.
The flight disruption came just hours after Trump gave a televised interview issuing strong warnings to Iran over alleged threats. On the same day, he also signed a proclamation declaring January 20 as a “National Day of Patriotic Devotion.”
The White House reiterated that safety protocols functioned as intended and emphasized that the issue was resolved swiftly.