Seattle, May 14, - In April 2025, Boeing, the American aerospace giant, delivered a total of 45 commercial aircraft, marking a significant increase from the 24 jets delivered in the same month the previous year. This achievement underscores the company’s ongoing efforts to recover from a series of production challenges, regulatory hurdles, and geopolitical disruptions that have impacted its operations in recent years. The deliveries included a diverse mix of aircraft, with 29 Boeing 737 MAX jets, eight 787 Dreamliners, four 777 freighters, and three 767s handed over to customers worldwide. Notably, two of these deliveries were made to Chinese airlines, a development that highlights the complexities of Boeing’s relationship with one of the world’s largest aviation markets amid ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China.
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The 737 MAX, Boeing’s best-selling model, accounted for the majority of April’s deliveries, with major carriers such as United Airlines receiving eight units, while Ryanair and Southwest Airlines each took five. The 737 MAX has been central to Boeing’s strategy to stabilize its production lines and restore market confidence following years of scrutiny stemming from safety concerns after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The delivery of eight 787 Dreamliners further demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to meeting demand for widebody aircraft, despite supply chain constraints that have limited production rates. The 787 program, which produced just one 787-9 in April, is supported by an inventory of 25 already-built aircraft that Boeing plans to deliver throughout 2025. Additionally, the four 777 freighters and three 767s delivered reflect Boeing’s ability to cater to both cargo and military aviation sectors.
The two deliveries to Chinese airlines—a 737 MAX to China Southern Airlines at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and a 777 freighter to CES Leasing Corp., tied to China Eastern Airlines via Shanghai Pudong—occurred before Beijing imposed a directive halting further Boeing deliveries. This pause was a response to escalating trade disputes, triggered by the U.S. imposition of 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, to which China retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. imports. These tariffs significantly increased the cost of Boeing jets, prompting Chinese carriers to suspend deliveries. As a result, several 737 MAX aircraft, originally destined for Chinese airlines like Xiamen Airlines, were returned to the U.S. and are now stored in Moses Lake, Washington, awaiting reassignment to new customers.
Boeing’s April performance reflects its broader recovery trajectory, with 175 aircraft delivered in the first four months of 2025, including 133 737 MAXs, 21 787s, and 11 777 freighters. The company also recorded eight gross new orders for 737 MAX aircraft in April, contributing to a backlog of 5,643 orders as of April 30. Despite the setback in China, Boeing is actively seeking alternative markets, with potential buyers in regions like India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. However, reconfiguring aircraft for new operators is a costly and complex process, involving repainting and cabin modifications. Boeing’s ability to nearly double its April deliveries compared to the previous year signals progress, but the company must navigate persistent supply chain issues and geopolitical challenges to sustain this momentum.