President Trump left the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month aboard the older Air Force One jet rather than the newer $400 million Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar. U.S. officials told CBS News that this decision followed a credible threat from Iran and allied proxy groups to fire a missile at the president's plane.

Trump initially flew to Ankara, Turkey, on the newly donated Air Force One, which the U.S. spent months retrofitting to carry the president. However, he switched to the older Air Force One for his flight from Ankara to the United Kingdom before returning to the United States on the newer plane.

The swap raised questions about the security of the new aircraft. Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News that the older Air Force One planes are equipped with laser technology designed to blind incoming missiles and employ diversion tactics to misdirect threats.

CBS News reported that the use of the older plane was at the suggestion of the Secret Service as a precautionary measure amid escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The new Air Force One is perfectly safe for the President's travels, but will receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall which will take approximately one month to complete. During that time, the President will fly on the old Air Force One."

The news of threats from Iranian proxies was first reported by The New York Times. President Trump has acknowledged possible Iranian threats to his safety, including a recent claim on Truth Social about 1,000 missiles potentially targeting him.

Sources