Air Force One Returns to Washington Following “Minor Electrical Issue” En Route to Davos

New Delhi, january 21, 2026: President Donald Trump’s journey to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland hit a temporary snag late Tuesday night when Air Force One was forced to make an unscheduled U-turn and return to Joint Base Andrews.

The White House described the incident as a “minor electrical issue” that was detected shortly after the iconic Boeing 747-200B departed from the Maryland air base. While the technical glitch caused a several-hour delay, officials confirmed that the President’s high-stakes trip to Davos would proceed as planned on a backup aircraft.

Mid-Air Glitch and “Abundance of Caution”

The flight was roughly 30 minutes into its journey over the Atlantic when the crew identified the fault. Reporters traveling in the press cabin noted that the cabin lights flickered and went out briefly following takeoff.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the decision to return was made “out of an abundance of caution.” The aircraft landed safely back at Joint Base Andrews at approximately 11:00 PM ET. No injuries were reported, and the White House emphasized that the President was never in any immediate danger.

A Swift Pivot to Davos

The President did not allow the mechanical setback to derail his agenda. After landing, Trump and his entourage were seen transferring to a secondary aircraft—an Air Force C-32, which is a modified Boeing 757 typically used for domestic travel or shorter runways.

The replacement flight departed shortly after midnight, roughly two and a half hours after the initial takeoff. Despite the quick turnaround, the delay is expected to push back the President’s arrival in the Swiss Alps, potentially delaying his much-anticipated keynote speech.

Aging Fleet and Future Replacements

The incident has reignited discussions regarding the age of the current presidential fleet. The two VC-25A aircraft (modified 747s) currently serving as Air Force One have been in operation for nearly four decades, having first entered service in 1990.

During the delay, Leavitt even made a lighthearted reference to a luxury Boeing 747-8 recently gifted to the administration by the ruling family of Qatar, joking to reporters that the Qatari jet was “sounding much better” right now. That aircraft is currently undergoing security retrofitting.

What’s at Stake in Davos

President Trump is heading to Davos to address a global audience on several hot-button issues. Key topics on his agenda include:

• Greenland Sovereignty: Tensions with European allies over his renewed interest in acquiring the territory.
• Trade and Tariffs: Ongoing negotiations regarding trade deals with the EU and NATO partners.
• Economic Strategy: Promoting his “America First” economic policies on the world stage.

Despite the electrical hiccup, the White House remains confident that the President will maintain his full schedule of bilateral meetings once he touches down in Switzerland.