Air Force One Returns to Base After Minor Electrical Issue, Delaying Trump’s Davos Trip Briefly

President Donald Trump’s specially configured Boeing VC-25A, operating as Air Force One, was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly after takeoff Tuesday night due to a minor electrical issue, according to White House officials.

The aircraft departed Joint Base Andrews around 9:45 p.m. ET en route to Zurich, Switzerland, where President Trump was scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos. Crew members identified the problem soon after departure, prompting the plane to turn back “out of an abundance of caution,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to reporters on board.

Reporters traveling with the president noted that cabin lights in the press area flickered or briefly went out after takeoff, though no major disruptions or safety concerns were reported beyond the electrical glitch.

The plane landed safely at Joint Base Andrews at approximately 11:07 p.m. ET. President Trump, his staff, and the press pool then transferred to a backup aircraft, a modified Boeing C-32 and departed shortly after midnight, resuming the journey with only a roughly two-hour delay.

White House officials emphasized that the issue was minor and that the president remained safe throughout. No injuries occurred, and the trip to Davos proceeded as planned, with Trump expected to participate in the summit as scheduled.

The incident highlights the rigorous safety protocols for presidential travel. The VC-25A aircraft are among the most advanced and heavily maintained in the world, equipped for a wide range of contingencies, but even small anomalies trigger immediate precautionary measures.