China Bans Boeing Aircraft Deliveries Amid Global Trade War

The People’s Republic of China has banned Chinese airlines from taking delivery of new Boeing aircraft and aircraft parts. This comes amid a growing trade war between China and the United States.

China Tells Airlines Not to Take Delivery of Boeing Aircraft

The Chinese government has told all domestic airlines not to accept aircraft from U.S. based Boeing. The government has also instructed Chinese carriers not to purchase any parts from the United States if at all possible. The Chinese built Comac C-919 has multiple components that originate in the United States and it is unclear how this order affects that program.

Chinese carriers have quite a few Boeing aircraft on order as the 737 MAX, 777, and 787 aircraft are necessary to help them meet their expansion needs. Cathay Pacific, based in a special administrative region of China, has multiple Boeing 777X aircraft on order which are due to be delivered sometime in 2026.

It’s safe to say that any order Boeing has to a Chinese carrier could be in jeopardy. Even if the tariffs were removed tomorrow, there is a ton of animosity on both sides. That, coupled with China’s need to save face, means that we may not see an Boeing aircraft delivered to the country for quite some time.

Where Will China Get the Aircraft Needed to Expand?

While the inability to take delivery of new Boeing aircraft is likely a big blow to Chinese airlines, it’s a bigger issue for Boeing. Tariffs have thrown markets into turmoil and companies are trying to figure out how to react.

Atlanta based carrier Delta Air Lines has made it clear that they will not take delivery of any planes that are subject to a tariff. Delta has quite a few Airbus aircraft orders on the books which could be reallocated to other airlines if they elect to defer orders. These planes could end up in the hands of Chinese carriers to fill the gaps left by their inability to take delivery of Boeing aircraft.

Ultimately, the situation regarding tariffs is extremely fluid and there is no telling where we’ll be tomorrow. Unfortunately there is plenty of bad blood between the world’s largest superpowers, which may make it difficult for Boeing in the Chinese market. Companies like Airbus must be waiting in the wings to swoop in and take over fill delivery slots.

Summary

China has banned airlines in the country from taking delivery of Boeing aircraft along with parts that come from the United States. Chinese airlines have a robust order book and I have to imagine that Airbus is waiting to swoop in and takeover the orders that have been frozen by Boeing.