Trump's Qatari 747 may need fighter escorts to serve as Air Force One

As the commander-in-chief, however, Trump could waive any and all requirements like these, a former Air Force official noted

A 13-year-old private Boeing aircraft that President Donald Trump toured on Saturday. Picture: AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File

A Boeing 747 jet offered to US president Donald Trump by Qatar as a temporary flying White House might need fighter jet escorts and could be restricted to flying inside the US unless significant costly security upgrades were made, aviation experts and industry sources said.

Even if numerous improvements to the plane's communications and defenses are made over the coming months once any deal is completed, the military escort and domestic restriction could remain in place, the experts and sources said.