Boeing’s Air Force One production is facing continued delays because the manufacturer can’t consistently hire and retain mechanics

• Boeing’s Air Force One project has fallen years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget amid continued labor and design hiccups. The Government Accountability Office said in a report this week that “ongoing design issues, modification rework, and workforce challenges” are still plaguing the manufacturer. The Trump administration has resorted to procuring a $400 million jet from Qatar to serve as the interim Air Force One.

Boeing is continuing to battle production issues plaguing the jets that will serve as Air Force One, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The Pentagon told the congressional auditors that “ongoing design issues, modification rework, and workforce challenges slowed the progress toward modifying two Boeing 747-8 aircraft into presidential aircraft,” a report released Wednesday said.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, signed a $3.9 billion contract with Boeing in 2018 to have two planes designed, modified, and tested to serve as Air Force One by 2024, but persistent delays have pushed the project past its delivery date.

In order for the aircraft to meet Air Force One specifications, Boeing needs to heavily modify the jets to meet travel and top-level security needs, which has slowed down the production process considerably. Trump has dropped a requirement for the VC-25B planes to have air-to-air flying capabilities, which would allow them to receive fuel from a tanker aircraft while in flight.

Progress on the aircraft has stalled as a result of issues around decompression and the environmental control system design, and Boeing’s incomplete certification plans and aircraft design have also pushed back the timetable for testing, the GAO said. The aircraft manufacturer has also been unable to keep a steady workforce for the project.

“Boeing still faces challenges hiring and retaining qualified mechanics due to ongoing market conditions, according to VC-25B officials,” the report said. “Program officials said that approval rates for mechanics to acquire necessary clearances remain a workforce limitation.”

Last fall, Boeing announced plans to lay off 10% of its workforce, despite industrywide talent shortages.

As Boeing tries to push through its scheduling woes, Trump has instead procured a $400 million Boeing 474 from Qatar after threatening in February to find alternatives to the VC-25B project. The gifted Qatari jet has not only raised ethical and security concerns, but it will likely cost taxpayers $1 billion to service and update the jet to Air Force One standards.