Rubio’s plane returns to US due to 'mechanical issue'

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plane experienced a mechanical issue while en route to Munich, Germany on Thursday, forcing it to return to the United States, according to the State Department.

“This evening, en route from Washington to Munich, the plane on which Secretary Rubio is flying experienced a mechanical issue. The plane has turned around and is returning to Joint Base Andrews” in Maryland, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in an emailed statement.

Despite the setback, Bruce confirmed that Rubio intends to continue his scheduled travel to Germany and the Middle East in a separate aircraft.

"The mechanical issue is a cracked windshield," she added.

Rubio was traveling to Munich for the annual Munich Security Conference, where he was expected to meet with top officials from around the world, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Following his engagements in Munich, the top US diplomat will travel to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from Feb. 15-18 to meet with senior officials to discuss "regional cooperation, stability and peace," according to the State Department.