Delta Airlines has devised a noteworthy strategy to avoid the 10% import tariff on Airbus aircraft that was implemented during the Trump administration. According to U.S. customs regulations, only brand-new aircraft that have never flown commercially are subject to import duties.
Instead of flying its newly delivered Airbus A350-900 directly to the U.S., Delta first operated the aircraft on an international route from Toulouse to Tokyo. This way, the aircraft was technically no longer considered “new” and was exempt from import tariffs.
The airline has applied this method to other deliveries as well, including the Canada-manufactured A220s. Before entering domestic U.S. service, the aircraft are first deployed on international routes. Although this approach complicates Delta’s operational planning, it allows the company to avoid millions of dollars in import taxes.
This strategy enables Delta to continue expanding its fleet without passing the added costs on to passengers.
