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In August 2014, during his visit to Pune, Donald Trump inaugurated Trump Towers, a luxury residential project by Panchshil Realty
Donald Trump’s plane was not allowed to fly from Mumbai as permission to land at Pune airport had not been granted. (News18 Hindi)
Donald Trump is set to become the President of USA once again. He first assumed the presidency in 2016, subsequently losing in 2020. Now, he will be returning to the White House. While he has visited India once in February 2020 as the US President, he had earlier been to India on a business tour in August 2014.
It has been reported that during that time, he had arrived in Mumbai in his personal Boeing 757 plane. However his plane was held in Mumbai for three hours, awaiting clearance.
Donald Trump had then presented his claim as a presidential candidate in the Republican Party of America. During that time, he was also expanding his real estate business around the world. He considered India to be a country with great potential for his business.
Trump had reportedly received two promising offers from prominent builders in India, one in Pune and the other in Mumbai, to build Trump Towers in both cities. To explore these opportunities, Trump flew to India on his luxurious private plane from New York.
On August 11, 2014 Trump’s plane landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. He was scheduled to take off for Pune at 9.00 pm. However, his plane was not allowed to fly as permission to land at Pune airport had not been granted. Consequently, Trump’s plane remained parked at Mumbai airport.
Pune’s Lohegaon Airport is under the jurisdiction of the Indian Air Force, and prior permission from the Air Force is mandatory for any foreign private plane to land. Trump was apparently unaware of this requirement, creating an unexpected situation for him and his companions. Mumbai airport officials stated unequivocally that, without permission, their only option was to return to New York.
According to a report published in Mumbai Mirror at the time, Trump’s plane remained stranded at the airport for three and a half hours. Trump and his assistant remained seated in the plane. Despite all the arguments of Trump’s plane crew, the airport officials’ did not budge.
Meanwhile, Trump’s assistant team, the American Embassy, and his promoters in India got active. At 12.30 am, the Air Force Headquarters allowed his plane to fly to Pune.
The Problem In Pune
After being stranded at the Mumbai airport for hours, another issue arose upon Trump’s arrival in Pune. When his plane landed in Pune after a half-hour flight, the aircraft was positioned too high, and the airport lacked stairs of sufficient height. Consequently, he was confined to the plane for an hour until a temporary ramp could be constructed alongside, allowing him to disembark. This marked Trump’s first visit to India.
During his August 2014 visit to Pune, Donald Trump inaugurated Trump Towers, a luxury residential project developed by Panchshil Realty. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures from Bollywood and the real estate sector. Trump Towers in Pune comprises two 23-storey towers.
How Many Trump Towers Are There In India?
Currently, two Trump Towers stand completed in India, located in Pune and Mumbai. An additional two are under construction in Gurugram and Kolkata. The Trump Organisation, in partnership with Tribeca Developers, is planning to establish at least four more Trump Towers in several cities. Potential project locations include Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh. The existing Trump Towers in Pune and Mumbai have been well-received.
Prior to assuming the Presidency of America in 2016, Donald Trump had invited numerous Indian builders to New York for discussions. In November 2016, Donald Trump met with several developers in New York, including Kalpesh Mehta.
Trump’s Visit To India After Being US President
In 2016, Trump won the US presidential election and became President. After that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited him to India as the chief guest for Republic Day. He could not attend at the time. However, his daughter, Ivanka Trump, visited India in his place and participated in several programmes.
Trump officially visited India in February 2020, with only a few months remaining in his term. His trip included visits to Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Agra. A large crowd gathered to see him at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, where he participated in the ‘Namaste Trump’ event.
Inside Trump’s Private Boeing Jet
Donald Trump acquired his Boeing 757 aircraft in 2011 from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for approximately Rs 700 crore. He then personalised its interior design. While the aircraft has a passenger capacity of 180 to 200, it offers comfortable seating for 43 people.
The plane boasts bespoke features, including a private bedroom for Trump, a video conferencing room, a guest room, and a dining room. Trump notably used this aircraft during his 2015-2016 US presidential campaign. Considered one of the world’s most expensive private jets, it is also among the fastest, with a cruising speed of approximately 500 miles per hour.
The aircraft is powered by a robust Rolls Royce turbo engine. Its operational cost per hour is estimated to be around Rs 7-8 lakh. Its lavish interior includes golden plates and seats.
Beyond its opulent design, the aircraft is notable for making Trump possibly the only current head of state globally to possess a private Boeing jet. Affectionately nicknamed “T-Bird” (Trump Bird), the aircraft holds a special place in Trump’s fleet.