Lufthansa weighs importing Boeing aircraft via Switzerland to avoid Trump tariffs
August 14, 2025
Lufthansa Group is considering importing new Boeing aircraft through Switzerland. The delivery shift is intended to address the US-Switzerland trade deficit, which the US valued at over $38 billion last year. President Donald Trump used this deficit to justify imposing 39% tariffs on Swiss goods.
The aircraft import arrangement would not necessarily require additional production from Boeing, but could change the recorded point of sale and delivery location in favour of Switzerland.
SWISS CEO key to aircraft import talks
The move was discussed in Washington during meetings between Swiss officials, business leaders, and US counterparts earlier this month, according to Reuters. Jens Fehlinger, CEO of Lufthansa Group airline SWISS, participated in the talks.
“The aim of the trip was to hold discussions at the political level in order to improve the customs policy framework, as previous negotiations had not led to the progress Switzerland had hoped for,” a SWISS representative told SWI.
“The discussions focused in particular on the framework conditions for importing aircraft and the possible options for the Lufthansa Group, for SWISS, as well as for the United States and American companies. Statements on the content of these discussions and on the negotiations themselves are reserved for the competent government authorities.”
Under the proposal, Lufthansa would route deliveries of some future Boeing orders through Switzerland instead of directly into Germany or other EU countries. It could involve as many as 100 Boeing aircraft over the next seven years, valued at around $23.8 billion, to offset Switzerland’s trade surplus with the United States.
Discussions are still at an early stage, with no binding commitments made. In a statement to Reuters, Lufthansa said it would act in the interest of its Group airline SWISS, as well as the Swiss economy. “Fleet procurement at the Lufthansa Group is carried out in close coordination with the airlines,” the company added.
39% US tariffs have already impacted Swiss aerospace
The proposal comes amid heightened trade tensions between Washington and Bern. Swiss planemaker Pilatus had to pause US deliveries after Trump imposed the 39% tariffs earlier this month. Pilatus is working to redirect aircraft to customers in other countries and implementing measures to preserve jobs for its 3,000 employees.
Rumours have also begun to swirl around a potential cancellation of Switzerland’s F-35 order in the wake of the new tariffs.
Swiss industry leaders have been seeking ways to increase US imports without compromising domestic economic priorities.
If implemented, Lufthansa’s Swiss import strategy could provide a high-value, visible shift in trade flows. However, the direct tariff savings and operational implications remain unclear.
Delta Air Lines also shifted aircraft deliveries to dodge tariffs
Rerouting planes to dodge tariffs is not solely a European strategy.
When US tariffs targeted direct imports of Airbus aircraft, Delta took A350 deliveries in Japan before ferrying them to the US. The indirect route allowed the planes to enter the US under different customs classifications, avoiding “new import” tariffs.
Airbus has told investors it could deliver US airline orders to third countries rather than directly to US soil, shielding its US airline customers from tariffs on EU-built jets.
