Indian Airlines May Gain From Boeing’s ‘Unsold Fleet’ Amid US-China Trade War

Indian carriers like Akasa Air and Air India Express may be poised to benefit from the escalating US-China trade war, as reports suggest Chinese airlines could cancel nearly 100 Boeing aircraft orders following new tariff-related tensions between the two superpowers.

Earlier this week, Beijing issued a directive asking its national carriers to halt further Boeing purchases in retaliation to U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to impose 245% tariffs on key imports from China. The decision could significantly disrupt Boeing’s order book, which includes pending deliveries of Boeing 737 MAX jets to several Chinese carriers.

Indian aviation experts say the void left by China could become an opportunity for Indian airlines, especially those with active Boeing purchase agreements.

Aircraft Redirection a Possibility

According to aviation sources, China’s top three airlines—Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern—were scheduled to receive a combined nearly 180 aircraft by 2027, a majority of them Boeing’s bestselling 737 MAX series. With deliveries now at risk, Boeing may be forced to redirect aircraft to alternative buyers, particularly in fast-growing markets like India.

Both Akasa Air and Air India Express have already placed substantial orders for the same aircraft model and are in active expansion mode.

“Aircraft acquisition is complex, but surplus inventory in the market often leads to attractive deals,” a senior executive from a private Indian airline told Business Today TV. “If Boeing redirects inventory, we’ll be ready.”

Air India’s Massive Order Book

Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has committed to one of the largest commercial aircraft purchase deals in recent history. Its Boeing order includes:

• 190 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

• 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

• 10 Boeing 777X widebody jets

With this aggressive order book, the airline could fast-track deliveries if Boeing adjusts its global supply chain to account for China’s potential cancellations.

Akasa Air Eyes Expansion

India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, has also been impacted by Boeing delivery delays. Despite having trained more pilots than needed for its current fleet, the airline has struggled to expand due to supply constraints.

Industry analysts now believe the carrier may have a chance to scale faster.

“Both Akasa and Air India Express have the balance sheet strength and operational readiness to absorb more aircraft,” said Amit Dave, an aviation sector analyst. “With Boeing’s Chinese pipeline under pressure, Indian carriers are natural beneficiaries.”

Geopolitical Shift in Aerospace Supply Chain

The shift comes as geopolitics increasingly influences global aircraft orders. While Boeing’s production lines in Everett and Renton, Washington continue at scale, the trade war has raised questions about the long-term stability of US-China aerospace relations.

“The politicisation of trade has redefined how aircraft deals are done,” said Shivangi Mehta, a global trade analyst. “Countries like India now play a more central role in Boeing’s global strategy.”

Conclusion

With Beijing tightening its grip on aircraft imports and Boeing seeking alternative customers, Indian carriers are well-positioned to step in. As global supply chains realign under geopolitical pressure, airlines like Akasa and Air India Express may find themselves uniquely placed to grow their fleets—faster and more cost-effectively—than previously anticipated.

Whether this will significantly reshape the regional aviation landscape remains to be seen, but the opportunity for Indian aviation is clear: One country’s fallout could be another’s liftoff.