German carrier Lufthansa is facing delays in the delivery of its ordered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners due to certification issues related to the cabin seating. Out of 20 aircraft, 15 are still pending delivery.
Amid these delays, trade tensions between the U.S. and the European Union have further complicated the situation. The EU has raised tariffs on U.S.-made aircraft from 10% to as high as 200%, making aircraft imports into Germany significantly more expensive.
To bypass these high costs, Lufthansa is exploring a workaround: temporarily registering the aircraft in Switzerland—a non-EU country. This could be made possible through SWISS, Lufthansa Group’s Switzerland-based subsidiary. The move would allow Lufthansa to receive its aircraft while avoiding the steep import tariffs.
If implemented, this strategy could set a precedent for other airlines. However, the EU may eventually introduce new regulations to counter such measures.
