Chinese Ban On Boeing Orders Could Help Indian Carriers Like Air India Express, Akasa
China’s decision to stop Boeing acquisitions in the face of U.S. tariff concerns may help Indian airlines like Air India Express and Akasa.
China has instructed its airlines not to purchase Boeing aircraft in reaction to US President Donald Trump’s 145 per cent tariffs, which could help Indian carriers that are struggling with aircraft acquisition due to global supply chain constraints. Chinese airlines are currently waiting on the delivery of about 100 B737 MAXs, which Air India Express and Akasa are in line for, as well as 11 B787 Dreamliners that are included in Air India’s orderbook.
“We anticipate some of these aircraft, originally destined for Chinese carriers, will be redirected to Indian customers. The previous year or two witnessed a similar occurrence, with white tails (aircraft manufactured for specific customers but acquired by others) being allocated to AI Express and Akasa," airline industry specialists told The Times of India (ToI).
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Air India Express was supposed to receive 25 more white tail MAX after acquiring 25 last year. It may acquire more white tails or specially designed planes in the wake of the ongoing tariff battle between the United States and China.
“The Seattle final assembly line capacity designated for Chinese carriers’ MAX production will now remain unutilised. Consequently, Indian carriers, including AI Express and Akasa, might receive additional aircraft, either specifically manufactured or whitetails," industry sources told the publication.
About Airbus, the well-known single-aisle A320 family is still assembled on two final assembly lines. Airbus may now be asked by China to expand the number of planes available for its carriers.
India’s newest airline, Akasa, is now employing a lot more pilots than its current or projected near-term requirements, which has reportedly caused unhappiness among idle cockpit personnel due to Boeing’s delayed aircraft deliveries.
If there are now enough aircraft available, both Akasa and Tata Group Air India Express have the financial capacity to handle them. According to the original customer’s request, these low-cost airlines added white tails with multiple rows of 2×2 business seats facing forward. Boeing, whose MAX production has been significantly impacted by a series of adverse events, provided them with available aircraft.
After U.S. supplier Howmet Aerospace sparked a dispute about who should pay for the tariffs, the whole aerospace industry is being pulled into a U.S.-led trade war, with suppliers, airlines, and plane makers evaluating contracts worth billions of dollars.
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