A Boeing 737 MAX passenger jet, originally manufactured by the American aviation giant Boeing for China-based Xiamen Airlines, made a surprise return to the United States from China on Sunday. The development has once again highlighted the impact of the China-US trade war on the aviation industry.
Aircraft Lands at Boeing Production Facility in Seattle
According to an eyewitness who spoke to Reuters, the Boeing 737 MAX bearing the Xiamen Airlines logo landed at Boeing’s production facility in Seattle at 6:11pm local time. The aircraft still featured the Chinese airline’s corporate colours and branding.
8,000 Kilometre Journey Back: Refuelling Stops in Guam and Hawaii
The returned aircraft had previously been held at Boeing’s completion centre in Zhoushan, China, where it was awaiting final procedures. During its 8,000-kilometre journey back to the US, the aircraft made two refuelling stops in Guam and Hawaii.
Trade Tensions Disrupt Deliveries
High tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by former US President Donald Trump, along with retaliatory measures from Beijing, have heightened tensions between the two nations, disrupting the delivery of Boeing aircraft to China.
According to a Bloomberg report dated 15 April, Chinese authorities have instructed domestic airlines not to accept new aircraft deliveries from Boeing. Yet, under previous plans, China’s three major airlines Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines were set to receive a total of 179 Boeing planes between 2025 and 2027.
Reason for Return Remains Unclear
No official explanation has yet been provided as to whether the aircraft’s return to the US was due to political pressure from China or a decision made independently by the airline.
