Delta Reroutes Airbus Deliveries to Bypass US Tariffs
Delta Air Lines is sidestepping the 10 percent import tariff on European-made aircraft by routing new Airbus jets through third countries before they enter the United States. Under rules introduced by the previous US administration, carriers pay a levy only on “new” aircraft—defined narrowly to include only production tests and direct delivery flights. Delta plans to transform its Airbus A350-900s into tariff-free “used” status by flying their first commercial leg outside the European Union.
The first aircraft to undergo this strategy is A350-900 N528DN, which rolls off Airbus’s Toulouse assembly line on April 30, 2025. Rather than flying straight to Atlanta, Delta will operate flight DL9936 from Toulouse to Tokyo-Narita. Once the jet carries revenue passengers to Tokyo, it no longer meets the strict definition of a new import, allowing it to land in the United States without the additional duty. Delta intends to repeat this approach for every European-built A350 and A330neo in its order book.
Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian confirmed to investors that Delta “will not be paying import levies” on upcoming Airbus deliveries. The carrier will ensure each European-made aircraft undertakes a bona fide revenue flight abroad before its US arrival. By deploying these widebodies solely on international routes, Delta also avoids any risk of reclassifying them as domestic imports, which would otherwise trigger tariff obligations.
Beyond the A350-900, Delta has 6 A330-900neos, 8 more A350-900s, 20 A350-1000s and 82 A321neos on order from Airbus, alongside its domestically-manufactured Boeing and Mobile-built A220 fleet. While US-built aircraft enjoy tariff exemption, some A220s completed in Mirabel, Canada, could face Canada-US duties. To circumvent this, Delta analysts anticipate routing those planes via Mexico or the Caribbean on their inaugural commercial flights.
Delta’s international routing tactic is legally sound, relying on the government’s own definition of “new” aircraft rather than attempting covert evasion. Scheduling and fleet-planning teams must coordinate delivery schedules, crew assignments and slot usage to guarantee that no European jet enters the US market without first operating a revenue flight abroad. This logistical shuffle preserves Delta’s growth trajectory while insulating its balance sheet from untimely import costs.
Industry observers note the carrier’s maneuver underscores the wider impact of trade policy on aviation economics. With rising tariffs threatening to inflate fleet expansion budgets, creative routing allows Delta to maintain planned capacity increases on transpacific and transatlantic routes. The program also highlights how airlines can adapt to regulatory regimes by leveraging global networks and well-timed international operations.
Although Delta has not detailed how it will apply the same approach to its narrowbody A321neos, the carrier is expected to extend the model to every European delivery. By converting each delivery into a genuine commercial flight outside the US prior to its domestic debut, Delta avoids adding millions of dollars in duties over the lifecycle of its Airbus order.
As Delta prepares to welcome its newest Airbus jets, the airline insists that no tariff burden will fall on its customers or shareholders. With its “no to tariffs” stance firmly in place, Delta demonstrates that, even amid protectionist measures, airlines can legally navigate complex import rules to protect their fleet modernization plans and uphold their competitive edge.
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