Flight tracking data on Monday confirmed the landing of a new Boeing MAX aircraft in China, signaling a resumption of deliveries by the US planemaker to Chinese customers as Beijing and Washington de-escalate their trade dispute. Boeing, which had paused new plane deliveries to China in April amidst escalating tariffs between the world’s two largest economies, announced in late May that deliveries would recommence in June following a temporary 90-day reduction in tariffs.
The aircraft, bearing the Xiamen Airlines livery, arrived at Boeing’s Zhoushan completion center near China’s commercial hub of Shanghai. It had departed Seattle on Saturday, making stops for refueling in Hawaii and Guam during its trans-Pacific journey. Data from the Flightradar24 tracking application indicates that Boeing had originally ferried this particular aircraft to Zhoushan in March, before its return to the United States in mid-April, at which point Chinese airlines ceased accepting new Boeing aircraft.
Boeing, Xiamen Airlines, and the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), the regulator, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China accounts for approximately 10% of Boeing’s commercial backlog and represents a crucial and expanding aviation market. Representatives from China and the United States are scheduled to meet in London on Monday to discuss a trade agreement.
In April, Boeing had repatriated at least three 737 MAX jets from Zhoushan to the United States, where they were awaiting final preparations for delivery to Chinese carriers. The first of these to return was the same aircraft that landed on Monday. Boeing had previously stated that Chinese customers would not take delivery of new planes due to the tariffs, and it was exploring options to resell potentially dozens of aircraft. However, the planemaker had not redirected these planes elsewhere, despite its objective of reducing inventory.
While Beijing has not offered specific comments on why Boeing deliveries ceased, it has acknowledged that Chinese airlines and Boeing were significantly impacted by US-imposed tariffs. In April, Boeing had outlined plans for 50 jets to be delivered to Chinese carriers during the remainder of the year, with 41 already in production or pre-built.
