Delta Reallocates Engines from New Airbus Jets to Address US Supply Issues and Tariffs

Delta Air Lines is repurposing engines from newly built Airbus A321neo aircraft stationed in Europe to restore grounded jets in the United States, a strategy aimed at managing engine supply shortages and avoiding US import tariffs on European-built planes, Bloomberg reports.

According to individuals familiar with the matter, Delta has been removing US-manufactured Pratt & Whitney engines from new Airbus jets that have not yet entered service due to outstanding seat certification from regulators. These engines are then shipped back to the US tariff-free, where they are installed on aircraft already in operation.

As a result, the aircraft left behind in Europe remain engine-less for now. Delta executives suggest those planes could still be imported later, potentially without tariffs, depending on the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations between the US and European Union.

The move comes amid a wider challenge for airlines relying on Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engines, which have been affected by the discovery of contaminated metal powder in key components. The issue has led to groundings across the global A320neo fleet, limiting operational capacity for many carriers, including Delta.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian confirmed the strategy in an interview following the airline’s latest earnings report. He described the number of engines being relocated as “very small” but said the company would continue doing so to maintain fleet availability.

“We are not planning to pay tariffs on aircraft deliveries,” Bastian reiterated, noting that duties imposed under former President Donald Trump’s trade policies—10% on European-built aircraft—remain a significant factor in Delta’s decisions around aircraft logistics.

Delta has previously employed creative routing strategies to navigate the tariff landscape. In earlier cases, the airline transported new long-haul Airbus aircraft through Japan or other countries such as the Netherlands and El Salvador before bringing them to the US, thereby reducing or avoiding tariff obligations.

A spokesperson for Pratt & Whitney declined to comment on Delta’s current use of its engines.

Delta is one of several global airlines navigating complications with the A320neo-family jets, which rely either on the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine or a competing model from CFM International. Delta also operates A220 aircraft, which use a variant of the same turbine.