Catering cart, secret flight and Iran threat — Trump’s Turkey escape explained

US President Donald Trump was reportedly moved from the older Air Force One aircraft in a catering container as part of a security measure aimed at concealing his movements during his trip to Turkey last month, according to a Washington Post report.

Trump had arrived in Turkey aboard an older Boeing 747 instead of the Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar. The decision had earlier been linked by several US media reports to an alleged threat from Iranian proxy forces.

A new report by The Washington Post has now revealed details of a second, more secretive aircraft switch before Trump left the region.

Trump allegedly shifted to smaller aircraft

According to the report, Trump was moved out of the older Boeing 747 through a catering container and taken to a smaller C-32A aircraft. The president then flew on the C-32A to Britain, while journalists and some officials were left with the impression that he remained aboard the larger aircraft.

Reporters travelling on the older plane from Ankara were reportedly instructed to keep their window blinds closed, helping conceal the movement.

Trump had said he planned to use the older Boeing 747 so that US military personnel at an airbase in Britain could tour the newer aircraft.

The Washington Post also published video showing a catering truck being lowered from the older Boeing aircraft shortly after Trump entered it. The vehicle was later seen approaching the smaller C-32A. Hindustan Times could not independently verify the video.

Trump later appeared on larger jet

Both aircraft eventually landed in Britain, where Trump emerged from the larger Boeing 747. He was subsequently moved to the Qatar-gifted aircraft.

It remains unclear when or how Trump transferred from the C-32A to the larger jet.

The reported operation has also renewed questions about the security capabilities of the aircraft gifted by Qatar. The plane reportedly does not have some of the defensive systems available on older Air Force One aircraft, including anti-missile protection.

Qatar-gifted jet faces scrutiny

Qatar’s royal family donated the luxury aircraft last year after Trump criticised the ageing Boeing 747s used as Air Force One since 1990.

The aircraft was retrofitted and carried Trump on his first flight aboard it to North Dakota on July 1. Its first overseas trip was to Turkey.

The White House has defended the aircraft’s safety, calling it "state-of-the-art" and equipped with high-level security protocols. Officials have also said that all available measures were being used to protect Trump.