Air Force One: $68,000 an hour?

Published: May 28, 2008, 7:30 am

by Mark Silva The question often comes up when the president travels to political events (such as the fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Phoenix yesterday) en route to presidential events (such as today's commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado). What's all this cost, and who's paying? The White House splits political costs and official costs between the campaigns or political parties it is supporting and the government. But on this week's presidential trip, in light of the escalating cost of fuel, the press secretary was asked: "Does it still cost $68,000 an hour to operate Air Force One?'' "I have no idea,'' Press Secretary Dana Perino replied. The Air Force, whose 1,000-plus new academy graduates the president will greet today, has a pretty good idea what the cost of fuel is doing to the cost of doing business. Every $10-per-barrel boost in the price of crude oil adds $610 million in annual operating costs, Air Force Secretary

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