Delta Avoids Trump Tariffs on New Airbus A350 to Tokyo

Delta Air Lines is strategically routing its new Airbus A350-900 aircraft through Tokyo instead of directly to the U.S. to avoid paying U.S. import tariffs imposed on European-made jets during the Trump administration. By first flying the aircraft to a non-U.S. destination and then deploying it exclusively on international routes, Delta circumvents the legal definition of a 'new' import, thereby sidestepping the 10% tariff. This practice is not new for Delta, as the airline previously employed a similar strategy during the initial imposition of tariffs under President Trump. Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian affirmed that the airline is committed to avoiding tariffs on future Airbus deliveries by closely coordinating with Airbus and leveraging international operations. The tactic allows Delta to expand its widebody fleet without incurring significant additional costs from tariffs, which would otherwise impact its financial planning amid industry recovery efforts. Such maneuvers highlight the challenges and creative solutions airlines pursue in response to shifting trade policies and regulatory environments.