U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Boeing 737 Encounters Mechanical Failure: A Journey from Paris to Brussels
According to a report by the Daily Mail, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken encountered a mechanical failure on his Boeing 737 plane while en route to Europe for NATO meetings on Wednesday.
Consequently, Blinken and his team faced a delay and had to resort to alternative travel arrangements. Specifically, they embarked on a 193-mile journey from Paris to Brussels via bus, a commute that lasted over four hours.
This unexpected turn of events caused Blinken to arrive at his destination approximately two hours behind schedule. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proceeded with addressing the foreign ministers during a special meeting commemorating the alliance’s 75th anniversary.
The Boeing 737 aircraft utilized by Blinken for his global travels is a modified version owned and operated by the U.S. Air Force. Notably, his travel itinerary often encompasses visits to regions such as the Middle East.
Earlier in the year, Blinken faced a similar setback when his aircraft encountered mechanical issues during a trip to the Davos gathering in Switzerland. On that occasion, he opted for alternative transportation, specifically traveling by helicopter from Zurich for the annual meeting with prominent political and economic figures in January.
Although Blinken typically utilizes a fleet of government executive jets for his travels, the modified Boeing 757, adorned in a distinctive ‘seafoam blue’ paint job, stands out. This aircraft bears the Air Force One call sign when the President is onboard and is also employed by the Vice President for official travel purposes.
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