Delta says Cseries deliveries may be delayed but not killed by duties

Delta Air Lines says its deliveries of Bombardier Cseries aircraft may be delayed next year but that ultimately it won’t be forced to pay the 300 per cent preliminary duties recently announced by the U.S. Commerce Department.

“We will not pay those tariffs and that is very clear,” CEO Ed Bastian said Wednesday during a conference call about its third-quarter results.

He said the U.S. government’s decision is disappointing and doesn’t make a lot of sense, but that it’s still early in the process that is triggering lots of political debate.

“We intend to take the aircraft,” he told analysts. “I can’t tell you how this is going to eventually work out. There may be a delay in us taking the aircraft as we work through the issues with Bombardier, who is being a great partner in this.”

Bastian added that he thinks the Cseries needs to come to market in the United States.

“We believe it will come to market and we believe Delta will get it at the agreed contractual price,” he added.

Delta signed a deal for up to 125 CS100S in 2016. The firm order for 75 aircraft had a list price of US$5.6 billion, although large orders typically secure steep discounts. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in the spring.

“We’re not going to be forced to pay tariffs or anything of the ilk, so there should not be any concerns on our investors’ minds in that regard.”

The comments from the largest Cseries customer come a day after U.S. aerospace giant Boeing launched a public relations campaign to remind Canadians of its economic contribution to the country.

The Chicago-based company said its multimedia efforts, which got underway on Tuesday, include traditional and digital media including television, radio and other digital platforms.

Boeing Canada managing director Kim Westenskow said the company contributes about $4 billion annually to Canada’s economic growth and development. That represents almost 14 per cent of Canada’s entire aerospace economic impact.

“What we accomplish together benefits Canada and the entire global aerospace industry. It is a compelling story that is overdue to be told,” she said in a news release.

Boeing said it works with 560 Canadian suppliers that support 17,500 jobs, along with 2,000 people it employs.

It said the company’s partnership dates back a century when founder Bill Boeing launched the world’s first international mail service between Vancouver and Seattle in a Boeing C-700.

“Today, Boeing is the largest non-canadian aerospace manufacturer in Canada,” Westenskow added, pointing to both commercial and military activities.