What caused Trump's plane to turn back during Davos flight?

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A White House staff member looks back at Air Force One while boarding a replacement plane, also designated Air Force One, after making an unscheduled return landing due to an electrical issue identified mid-flight en route to Davos, Switzerland, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, January 20, 2026. — Reuters

Late Tuesday, shortly after leaving for Switzerland, President Donald Trump’s aircraft had to return to an air base due to a minor electrical problem, the White House confirmed.

Out of caution, Air Force One was redirected back to Joint Base Andrews, with the landing occurring shortly after 11:00 pm (0400 GMT), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Traveling with Trump, journalists reported a brief power outage in the cabin following takeoff.

Trump and his team switched planes at Joint Base Andrews and took off again around 0500 GMT, approximately two and a half hours after the initial departure.

Recognizable by its blue and white colors, Air Force One is considered one of the most iconic airplanes globally and a symbol of the U.S. presidency.

Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the current Air Force One jets—two modified Boeing 747-200B aircraft that have been in service since 1990, during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

Last year, Trump indicated his administration was exploring alternatives to Boeing after delays in delivering two new 747-8 planes.

In May, Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar for Trump’s use as Air Force One.

This aircraft, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, has sparked significant constitutional, ethical, and security concerns, especially regarding the use of a foreign-donated plane for the president’s most sensitive travel.