China has directed its airlines to pause new Boeing jet deliveries and halt purchases of U.S.-made aircraft parts, amid a trade dispute with the U.S. This action affects planned deliveries but does not appear to involve canceling existing orders.
This halt impacts 179 aircraft scheduled for delivery to China’s top three airlines (Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern) between 2025 and 2027. No timeline for resuming deliveries has been provided, and China is considering support for airlines leasing Boeing jets to manage higher costs.
The current situation stems from a tit-for-tat tariff escalation between the U.S. and China. The U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods, prompting China to retaliate with 125% tariffs on U.S. imports. This trade war has significant implications for industries, including aviation, where Boeing and its Chinese counterparts are major players.
The suspension impacts a significant number of aircraft. According to Fox Business, China’s top three airlines had plans to take delivery of these 179 Boeing planes over the next few years, and Yahoo Finance corroborates this, highlighting the scale of the planned deliveries now on hold.The exact number of aircraft affected is detailed in the following table:
Airlines | Planned Deliveries (2025-2027 |
| China Southern | 81 |
| Air China | 45 |
| China Eastern | 53 |
| TOTAL | 179 |
Beyond halting deliveries, China is also instructing its airlines to stop buying parts and equipment from U.S. companies, as noted in reports from CBS News and DW. This broader restriction could affect maintenance and operational capabilities for airlines currently using Boeing aircraft.
Moreover, China is reportedly considering ways to support airlines that lease Boeing jets, facing higher costs due to the tariffs. Airport Technology and Channel News Asia mention potential assistance, which could include financial aid or incentives to offset the increased costs, possibly encouraging a shift toward alternatives like Airbus or domestic manufacturer COMAC.
This halt represents another challenge for Boeing, which has already faced issues such as labor strikes, regulatory scrutiny, and supply chain disruptions, as noted in Reuters. China is a critical market for Boeing, and the suspension could lead to lost revenue and a potential shift toward competitors like Airbus, which holds a dominant position in the region, according to Yahoo Finance.
For Chinese airlines, the increased costs due to tariffs and the halt in deliveries could strain operations, especially for those reliant on Boeing aircraft. The consideration of support measures, as reported by DW, indicates an attempt to mitigate these impacts, but the long-term effects remain uncertain
