Juneyao Airlines Refuses Boeing 787 Delivery

Chinese carrier Juneyao Airlines is refusing to take delivery of a Boeing 787-9, which it is expected to acquire. This decision is being made due to ongoing political tensions.

What is widely being called a trade war is escalating rapidly. As a result, many sectors, including the aviation industry, are affected.

According to sources, exclusive Bloomberg reports say that Juneyao Airlines has decided to delay the acquisition of Boeing widebody aircraft.

Additional costs incurred in delivering planes from the United States have forced the Chinese carrier to reassess its options and delay acquisition efforts.

According to the latest fleet data published on April 10, 2025, Juneyao Airlines has a fleet of 102 aircraft, 87 of which are listed as active. The average age of the operation is 7.4 years.

The airline relies heavily on the 787 Dreamliner. At the same time, just nine units are present, all for the 787-9. This is the only widebody type in the operation and, therefore, crucial for long-haul and in-demand locations that require a higher capacity plane.

Delaying the acquisition of another 787 Dreamliner, while deemed necessary by the airline and broader China, does have an adverse effect on meeting growth.

787, 737 MAX & More Long-Term Issues

Political tensions are having considerable effects on many locations. However, for China and its aviation industry, it represents just one of the many tensions with American planemaker Boeing seen across recent history.

After two 737 MAX jets crashed in the late 2010s, China quickly suspended their deliveries and grounded the type.

What was initially labeled as too critical by some would later prove to be the right decision, as many more countries followed in grounding planes to allow Boeing to work through its challenges.

However, when Boeing proved it had re-certified the MAX, China remained hesitant to accept the plane back into service for many reasons, primarily spurred by political tensions.

Those political tensions are continuing, and now, types such as the 787 will not be delivered due to the additional costs. Ultimately, this is not just isolated to Boeing and China.

How Does Airbus Feel?

Boeing’s competitor, Airbus, also feels the heat as tensions rise and the landscape surrounding Tarffis changes seemingly daily.

The planemakers’ CEO, Guillaume Faury, said in mid-February that tariffs would disrupt its dealings with U.S.-based carriers and, if they were to continue, would result in adjustments to day-to-day operations.

Speaking with CNBC, Faury stated that customers worldwide are eager to acquire their aircraft sooner rather than later.

Therefore, if the economic climate in the United States worsens, Airbus could make essential changes to its business to accommodate another operator.

Those changes would likely push ahead deliveries to customers who make the process easier than those in the United States. Ultimately, this presents fresh opportunities for airlines seeking to grow capacity.