U.S. President Donald Trump’s aircraft was forced to make a midair U-turn and return to the United States while en route to Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) after a technical issue was detected onboard, according to media reports.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from Joint Base Andrews near Washington. White House officials said the flight crew identified a minor electrical malfunction, prompting the pilots to turn back as a precautionary measure. The plane landed safely, and there was no immediate threat to the president or others on board.
A White House spokesperson said the decision was taken strictly in line with aviation safety protocols. “Out of an abundance of caution, the aircraft returned to base after a technical issue was detected,” the official said, adding that arrangements were being made for Trump to continue his journey on an alternative aircraft.
Reports from journalists traveling with the president noted brief flickering of lights in the press cabin shortly after takeoff, though officials did not confirm whether this was directly linked to the electrical issue.
Trump was scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, where global leaders, policymakers, and business executives gather to discuss major economic and geopolitical challenges. He was expected to deliver a key address and hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event. While the delay disrupted his travel plans, officials indicated that his participation in the forum would continue, albeit on a revised schedule.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the aging fleet used for presidential travel. The current Air Force One aircraft, based on Boeing 747-200 models, have been in service for decades, with replacement plans facing repeated delays.
The unexpected turn of events added a dramatic start to Trump’s Davos trip, which was already under close international scrutiny due to ongoing global political and economic tensions.
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