Chinese airlines have initiated the return of Boeing aircraft to the United States, with a 737 Max landing at Boeing’s production facility in Seattle over the weekend, Reuters reports. This return followed China’s directive to its airlines to halt future deliveries from Boeing in retaliation to the United States implementing 145% tariffs on Chinese products, according to Bloomberg News.
Last week, three 737 Max 8 jets, initially prepared at Boeing’s Zhoushan delivery center for two Chinese airlines, were recalled to the U.S., The Air Current disclosed. Over the weekend, Reuters verified that a Boeing jet earmarked for China’s Xiamen Airlines returned to Seattle’s production facility. This aircraft, bearing Xiamen branding, was one of several 737 Max jets stationed at the Zhoushan completion center pending final preparations and delivery to the Chinese airline.
Fox News Digital attempted to get comments from Boeing and Xiamen Airlines, but there was no immediate response. Lin Jian, the chief spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mentioned in a press briefing on April 16 that he was not informed of any official directive that instructed airlines to refuse further Boeing deliveries.
The Air Current noted that China’s instruction to pause Boeing deliveries has also disrupted domestic operations. A Chinese aircraft lessor experienced a situation where another Chinese airline retracted its commitment to accept delivery, leading the lessor to remarket the pre-built 737 Max 8 to other carriers, as reported by two individuals informed of the situation.
Analysts suggested to Reuters that some airline executives might prefer to defer plane deliveries rather than incur additional duties, potentially impacting Chinese airline operations adversely.
Boeing, a significant U.S. exporter vying to rival Airbus in the Chinese market, might face substantial effects due to the trade conflict. Year-to-date statistics from Boeing indicate that 18 aircraft have been delivered to nine Chinese airlines. The leading three airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—anticipate receiving 45, 53, and 81 Boeing planes, respectively, between 2025 and 2027, as reported by Reuters.
The ongoing tariff dispute and reversal of deliveries align with Boeing’s efforts to recover from a nearly five-year halt on importing 737 MAX jets. This pause began in 2019 following safety concerns over two deadly crashes of this model in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
This report includes contributions from Fox News’ Pilar Arias and Reuters.
