The CEO of Starlux Airlines (JX, Taipei Taoyuan) has confirmed that the airline is facing setbacks due to delayed Airbus deliveries and weakening passenger demand on its US routes. Glenn Chai attributes these challenges to economic uncertainty driven by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Chai revealed that Airbus has reduced its delivery commitments. Starlux, which has 27 Airbus aircraft on order, now expects to receive just one A350-1000 and two A330-900Ns for the rest of the year. While two A350-900s have already been delivered in 2025, the total five aircraft slated for this year fall short by four from the original plan.
This shortfall will reduce the airline’s anticipated capacity growth for 2025 from around 50% to an estimated 20-30%. Airbus itself warns that delivery delays due to supply chain issues are expected to continue for up to three more years. Although some supply chain segments have improved, difficulties persist with engine deliveries and structural components. The manufacturer has informed customers to expect delays of six months for planes originally scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
Currently, Starlux has orders for six A321-200NX, three A330-900Ns, eight A350-1000s, and ten A350 freighters. Once fully delivered, this fleet expansion will nearly double the airline’s current lineup of 28 aircraft, which includes thirteen A321-200NX, five A330-900Ns, and ten A350-900s.
The airline’s US network covers four long-haul destinations: Seattle Tacoma International, San Francisco, Los Angeles International, and Ontario International. Chai noted that bookings on these routes have declined, reflecting passenger caution. “This summer, we already see the impact,” he said. “People are uncertain about economic growth and are postponing travel plans to the fourth quarter.”
Despite the current slump, Chai expects passenger confidence to improve later this year as tariff negotiations stabilize.
Starlux operates daily flights to Seattle and San Francisco, four weekly flights to Ontario, and eleven weekly flights to Los Angeles. All routes are served by A350-900 aircraft, offering a total of 17,136 weekly seats between Taiwan and the United States.
