- Title: Trump urges cancellation of new Boeing Air Force One plane
- Date: 6th December 2016
- Summary: LE BOURGET, NEAR PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 19, 2011) (REUTERS) PAN ACROSS BOEING 747-8 INTERCONTINENTAL PLANE BACKING INTO POSITION NEW GENERAL ELECTRIC ENGINE COCKPIT OF PLANE PAN ACROSS BODY OF PLANE FRONT OF PLANE
- Embargoed: 21st December 2016 15:27
- Keywords: Trump Boeing Air Force One Trump Tower. 747
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, UNITED STATES / INTERNET / LE BOURGET, NEAR PARIS, FRANCE / BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, UNITED STATES / INTERNET / LE BOURGET, NEAR PARIS, FRANCE / BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA0045BQYR7R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged the government to cancel purchase of Boeing's new Air Force One plane on Tuesday, saying it was "ridiculous" and too expensive.
"Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!" said Trump in a Twitter message.
Speaking shortly afterward to reporters in New York, Trump said, "The plane is totally out of control. I think it's ridiculous. I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number."
"We want Boeing to make a lot of money but not that much money," added Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20.
Boeing did not immediately return a request for comment.
The Air Force first announced in January 2015 that Boeing's 747-8 would be used to replace the two current Air Force planes used to transport the U.S. president. Air Force One is one of the most visible symbols of the United States.
Details about the total value of the new contract have not been released, but the Air Force has previously said that it had earmarked $1.65 billion for two replacement jets.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing Co. an initial contract worth $25.8 million in January.
U.S. presidents have used Boeing plane's since 1943, according to the company's website.
The 747-8 planes, 240 feet long (73 meters) long with a wing span of 224 feet (68 meters), can fly direct from Washington to Hong Kong, 1,000 miles (1,600 km) farther than the current Air Force One. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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