Harris, U.S. Vice President, Returns Mid-Flight Due to Private Plane Malfunction on First Overseas Trip

Tour to Resolve Immigration Conflicts Underway
Return Flight Ordered Due to Dedicated Plane Malfunction

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she boards a private plane for her first overseas trip to Guatemala and Mexico. The plane carrying Vice President Harris returned to its departure point, Andrews Air Force Base, due to a mechanical issue.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, who embarked on her first overseas trip to address the issue of Latin American immigrants flooding into the U.S., experienced an incident where her official plane had to return shortly after takeoff.

According to the White House press corps on the 6th (local time), the Air Force Two carrying Vice President Harris returned to its departure point, Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, after a mechanical defect was discovered following takeoff.

The press corps reported that immediately after takeoff, Air Force Two emitted unusual noises from the landing gear. There were no particular issues during the landing for the return.

The White House explained to the press corps that the official plane would be replaced and Vice President Harris would depart again for her overseas destination.

U.S. media outlets such as CNN highlighted the decision to make Latin America the destination for Vice President Harris's first overseas trip.

Since the inauguration of the Biden administration, which announced a policy to ease immigration, a large number of people aiming to enter the U.S. illegally have gathered at the border with Mexico, putting the Biden administration's immigration policy to the test. President Biden assigned Vice President Harris the role of commander to resolve the border issue.