The aircraft, sporting the livery of Xiamen Airlines, landed at Boeing’s Zhoushan completion centre near Shanghai, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24. The jet departed Seattle on Saturday, with refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam before reaching Chinese airspace.
The delivery signals the easing of a key friction point in the ongoing US-China trade relationship. Boeing had halted deliveries to China in April 2025, when both countries intensified their tariff war. However, the US planemaker announced at the end of May that deliveries would resume in June, following a temporary 90-day rollback of certain tariffs.
Plane’s Journey Reflects Turbulent Trade Climate
The aircraft’s return to China was notable. Originally ferried to Zhoushan in March, it was sent back to the US in April after Chinese carriers paused acceptance of new Boeing jets. It is one of at least three 737 MAX aircraft Boeing had repatriated from Zhoushan during the height of the trade impasse.
At the time, Boeing stated that Chinese customers had halted deliveries due to tariffs, prompting the company to explore the possibility of reselling dozens of undelivered aircraft. However, the planes were not redirected to other markets as Boeing tried to manage inventory amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Neither Boeing, Xiamen Airlines, nor the Civil Aviation Authority of China immediately commented on the resumed delivery.
Strategic Market Resumes Role in Boeing’s Outlook
China remains one of Boeing’s most critical markets, accounting for roughly 10% of the company’s commercial aircraft backlog. The nation’s rapidly growing aviation sector makes it a strategic customer, particularly as domestic travel rebounds and fleet modernization efforts resume.
In April, Boeing disclosed plans to deliver 50 jets to Chinese carriers over the remainder of the year, including 41 already built or in production. Monday’s delivery is the first confirmed step in executing that plan.
Broader Implications
The resumed delivery coincides with US and Chinese trade representatives meeting in London to discuss potential pathways toward a broader trade deal. While the delivery of a single aircraft may appear symbolic, analysts say it represents a thaw in trade relations and a potentially stabilizing signal for Boeing’s future in China.
Beijing has not publicly explained the initial halt in deliveries, but previously acknowledged that US-imposed tariffs had disrupted aircraft deals, affecting both Boeing and Chinese airlines.
What’s Next?
Industry observers will be closely watching for signs of sustained cooperation. With dozens of jets in Boeing’s inventory awaiting delivery and a finite window on the current tariff pause, the coming weeks could define the trajectory of Boeing’s relationship with Chinese aviation authorities.
The landing of the Xiamen Airlines jet may be just one aircraft, but for Boeing—and the broader commercial aviation industry—it could be the harbinger of smoother skies ahead.