Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury says the impact of potential tariff increases will fall on airlines. Mr Faury addressed the issue of European aircraft exports to the United States during an earnings call, stating that importing airlines would have to bear the costs.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom both asserted that their airlines would not pay higher prices for Airbus aircraft, with Bastian indicating a willingness to forego deliveries if tariffs were imposed.
The tariffs would affect only those Airbus aircraft built in Europe, while US-manufactured aircraft at Airbus’s Alabama facility would not incur these tariffs, despite some parts being sourced from outside the US.
Faury mentioned that Airbus has previously navigated tariff increases and is exploring alternative export opportunities for airlines with international operations.
Delta Air Lines successfully took delivery of an A350-900, avoiding a 10pc tariff by routing the aircraft through Tokyo Narita before bringing it into the US.
Mr Faury shared: “It’s on them. However, when we are exporting from Europe to the United States, that’s an import for the customers. We are in a different position than others. That has benefited the industry at large and primarily the US.”
