.png)
Atlanta, June 8 - Delta Air Lines, one of the largest operators of Airbus aircraft in the United States, has recently signaled potential disruptions to its aircraft acquisition strategy due to concerns over proposed U.S. tariffs on imported planes and parts. The airline has warned that it may be forced to cancel existing orders and suspend future purchases from foreign planemakers, including Airbus, as a response to the economic pressures these tariffs could impose. This development, highlighted in a filing with the U.S. Commerce Department, underscores the broader implications of trade policies on the aviation industry, particularly as Delta seeks to modernize its fleet and expand its network.
.gif)
The threat of tariffs, which could increase the cost of aircraft by as much as 20%, poses a significant challenge for Delta. The airline has been a major customer of Airbus, operating over 450 aircraft from the European manufacturer’s portfolio, including models from the A220, A320, A330, and A350 families. As of March 2025, Delta’s order book includes commitments for 285 additional aircraft, predominantly from Airbus, with types such as the A220-300, A321neo, A330-900neo, and A350-1000 slated for delivery in the coming years. These aircraft are critical for the carrier’s fleet renewal efforts, aimed at replacing older, less efficient models like the Boeing 757, 767, and select Airbus A319s and A320s. However, the imposition of tariffs could render these new aircraft prohibitively expensive, prompting Delta to reconsider its reliance on foreign-made planes.
The potential for cancellations is not a reflection of dissatisfaction with Airbus products, which Delta has praised for their efficiency and passenger comfort. Instead, the issue lies in the financial and operational challenges that tariffs would create. For instance, while Airbus operates an assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama, many components for aircraft like the A220, A330, and A350 are sourced from Europe and Canada, potentially subjecting them to import duties. In April 2025, Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, firmly stated during a quarterly earnings call that the airline would not absorb these additional costs, declaring, “We will not be paying tariffs on any aircraft deliveries we take.” Instead, the carrier has indicated it would defer deliveries of tariffed aircraft, a move that could delay fleet growth and impact its ability to serve up to 10 million passengers annually on affected routes. This stance comes at a time of heightened trade tensions, with the U.S. government exploring tariffs under a Section 232 investigation to assess risks to national security from imported commercial aircraft, jet engines, and parts. Initially, tariffs as high as 20% were proposed for goods from the European Union, though a subsequent 90-day reduction to 10% for non-retaliating countries offered temporary relief. Despite this, uncertainty persists, and Delta has already taken steps to mitigate costs, such as routing some A350 deliveries through Japan to avoid duties. The airline’s filing with the Commerce Department emphasized the broader economic fallout, noting that the U.S. aerospace industry exports significantly more than it imports, a balance that could be disrupted by retaliatory trade measures.
Delta’s fleet strategy has increasingly leaned toward Airbus in recent years, a shift that began in the early 2010s with orders for narrowbody and widebody jets. The airline currently operates 986 mainline aircraft, with Airbus models comprising a majority, a legacy of its merger with Northwest Airlines and subsequent deals, including a 2016 order for 75 A220s at a steep discount and the acquisition of 10 A350s from LATAM Airlines in 2019. In January 2024, Delta confirmed an order for 20 A350-1000s, set to begin delivery in 2026, positioning the model as its flagship for long-haul international routes. However, if tariffs escalate, these plans could be derailed, forcing Delta to accelerate retirements of older aircraft or seek alternative sourcing strategies. The ramifications of such a decision would be substantial. For Airbus, losing or delaying a significant portion of Delta’s orders could disrupt production schedules and shift priorities to other global customers. For Delta, deferring deliveries might limit capacity growth, particularly on long-haul routes to Europe, Asia, and beyond, where widebodies like the A350 and A330-900neo are pivotal. The airline has also highlighted the potential harm to U.S. manufacturing, as both Airbus and Boeing rely on domestic facilities and supply chains. As trade discussions continue, Delta remains in close dialogue with Airbus to minimize the impact, but the carrier’s firm stance against paying tariffs signals a potential reshaping of its fleet and the broader aviation landscape.