Boeing promises Trump to control costs on Air Force One

Boeing has pledged to control costs on the redesign of Air Force One after President-elect Donald Trump blasted the aerospace giant for the ballooning expenses, a company spokesman said on Thursday. Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg reassured Trump in a phone call on Wednesday night about its commitment to keeping a tight rein on costs for the presidential plane, after the president-elect earlier in the day tweeted that the price tag was “out of control.”  

“Muilenburg congratulated Mr Trump on his election win and committed to working with the new administration to control costs as they establish requirements for the new Air Force One to keep the program as affordable as possible and deliver the best value to American taxpayers,” a Boeing spokesman said. 

Muilenburg’s conversation with the president-elect came after Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday morning and threatened to cancel the Air Force One contract, saying costs had ballooned to USD 4 billion. Boeing has not directly addressed Trump’s statement, but said on Wednesday it has a USD 170 million contract “to help determine the capabilities of these complex military aircraft that serve the unique requirements of the US President.