Delta Air Lines Defers Airbus Deliveries Due to Tariffs

Delta Air Lines has announced it will defer deliveries of new Airbus aircraft affected by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which the airline cites as a significant factor in a slowdown of growth and bookings. CEO Ed Bastian emphasized the airline's commitment to avoiding tariffs on aircraft deliveries, stating, 'We will not pay tariffs on any aircraft deliveries we take.' The airline's current order includes 185 Airbus and 100 Boeing aircraft, and it planned to receive 43 new deliveries this year, which will now be postponed due to tariff implications. Economic uncertainty has led Delta to cut costs and retract its financial performance guidance for the year, with plans to focus on managing cash flow and margins. Bastian noted that the airline would not expand capacity in the second half of the year, reflecting the challenging economic environment. Despite these challenges, Delta reported earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, indicating some resilience amid the turmoil.