BOC Aviation has emphasised that its orderbook has minimal exposure should the USA and China move to impose their proposed tariffs on commercial aircraft.
In its latest operating update, the lessor states that “only two US-manufactured aircraft are committed for lease to Chinese customers and both are scheduled for delivery in June 2018.”
It did not identify the customers that are set to take delivery of the aircraft in its statement.
In retaliation for the USA’s plan to slap a 25% tariff on a range of Chinese goods – including aircraft, Beijing has proposed a similar tax on aircraft with an operating weight of between 15 and 45 tonnes imported from the USA.
That puts the 737NG series in-line for the tariffs, however the heavier 737 Max series would likely be exempt.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that Chinese carriers and lessors (which excludes Singapore-based BOC Aviation) have outstanding orders for 24 Boeing 737-800s that are due for delivery over the remainder of 2014.
Beijing has not yet announced when the retaliatory tariffs will be implemented, which will only likely be announced once the US International Trade Commission holds a hearing on the US tariff proposal on 15 May.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
