Qatari officials find themselves grappling with a significant challenge: an extravagant jumbo jet, often described as a “palace in the sky.” This aircraft, while luxurious, has proven to be expensive to operate and maintain. Much like an individual burdened by a gas-guzzling Hummer, the Qatari royals are eager to unload this opulent airplane. Currently, they are leaning towards acquiring smaller, more versatile planes that can discreetly navigate various airports without drawing attention.
The question arises: what should the Qatari officials do with these extravagant aircraft? Experts indicate that the market for such large, personalized jets is incredibly illiquid. This means that finding a buyer for their jumbo jet is a daunting task. Interestingly, a potential solution may have come in the form of former President Donald Trump.
According to reports from Forbes, there is speculation that Qatar has offered Trump this lavish plane to foster goodwill with the notoriously transactional president. However, there may be a more straightforward explanation: the Qatari royals simply wish to dispose of the jet. The aircraft was initially put on the market in 2020 and has yet to find a buyer. By gifting it to Trump, Qatar could significantly reduce its ongoing maintenance and storage costs, which aviation experts estimate to be considerable.
The trend is clear: demand for massive, fuel-intensive jets is dwindling. Qatar has previously given away another lavish 747 and may have retired two additional jets, reflecting the broader sentiment within royal families and governments to rid themselves of such costly assets. With an operational cost of about $23,000 per hour, it’s no wonder that the Qataris’ gift to Trump logged only 1,069 flight hours in the five years prior to its listing for sale.
Trump has publicly expressed his frustration with Boeing, which is currently behind schedule on delivering two new jets for presidential travel. Originally promised for delivery in 2024, those jets are now expected by 2029. Trump envisions utilizing the gifted jet during his presidency and eventually taking ownership through his presidential library once the new jets are completed. He stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, “Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country.”
However, accepting such a gift raises legal concerns. Experts highlight that it would be illegal for Trump to accept the jet without Congressional approval. Some GOP officials have even described this potential gift as “espionage” and “unconstitutional.” Yet, there are experts who argue that declining the offer might not be as foolish as Trump suggests. Modifying the jet to function as an airborne command center would require substantial investment, potentially costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
Transforming the jumbo jet into a secure airborne command center involves significant challenges. Experts estimate that the modification process could take at least five years and would require starting from scratch. Boeing, too, is currently grappling with supplier issues related to interior components, wiring design, and securing workers with the necessary security clearances for such sensitive projects.
As the saying goes, a boat owner's happiest days are when they purchase and sell their boat. For the Qatari officials, this sentiment likely rings true regarding their jumbo jets. The decision to gift or sell the aircraft reflects broader trends within the aviation market, where the demand for luxurious, oversized jets is rapidly fading.
