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A newly built Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737 Max jet touched down in China on Monday, Reuters reported, citing flight-tracking data. The flight signals a potential restart of aircraft deliveries to Chinese airlines as trade tensions between the U.S. and China show signs of easing.
The aircraft bearing Xiamen Airlines’ livery arrived at Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) completion facility in Zhoushan, near Shanghai, after departing from Seattle on Saturday. The transpacific journey included refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam.
Deliveries of Boeing (BA) jets to China had been on hold since April, coinciding with an escalation in trade tariffs between the two countries. However, Boeing (BA) announced in late May that it expected to resume handovers in June following a temporary 90-day reduction in some tariffs.
The specific 737 Max model that landed Monday had previously been ferried to Zhoushan in March but was flown back to the U.S. in April when Chinese carriers suspended acceptance of new Boeing (BA) aircraft, according to data from Flightradar24.
Neither Boeing, Xiamen Airlines, nor China’s aviation regulator (the Civil Aviation Authority of China) commented to Reuters on the flight or the resumption of deliveries.
China accounts for roughly 10% of Boeing’s (BA) commercial aircraft order book and remains a critical market for the company. Trade discussions between Chinese and U.S. officials are expected to take place Monday in London, raising hopes for further thawing in bilateral tensions.
In April, Boeing (BA) repatriated at least three 737 Max jets from Zhoushan, originally intended for Chinese customers. Monday’s arrival marked the return of one of those same jets.
Boeing (BA) previously acknowledged it was unable to deliver planes to China due to the tariff environment and had considered reselling several aircraft. Despite this, the company opted not to reassign the jets, citing inventory constraints.
While Beijing hasn’t publicly explained the halt in Boeing (BA) deliveries, officials have stated that both Chinese carriers and Boeing have faced disruptions stemming from U.S. tariff policies. Boeing (BA) said earlier this year it planned to deliver around 50 jets to Chinese airlines throughout 2025, with more than 40 already in production or completed.