US President Donald Trump’s implementation of a blanket 10% tariff on imports from most countries earlier this month, coupled with significantly higher “reciprocal” tariffs on nations imposing levies on US exports, has left the aviation industry grappling with a rapidly shifting landscape.
Simon Goodson, CEO of global aviation asset specialist AerFin, said the industry was “facing renewed complexity in its supply chains”.
“The recent announcement of tariffs on goods entering the United States has raised important questions about investment, inventory strategy and the flow of critical materials,” he said. “While it’s too early to draw long-term conclusions, one thing is clear: businesses that are globally minded, strategically agile and operationally resilient will be best placed to navigate what comes next.”
Goodson added that AerFin was in a good position to meet growing demand for used serviceable material (USM) within the US.
“If you’re holding USM stock in the United States today, that material is now more valuable – because it can move without incurring the cost or delay of tariffs.
“At AerFin, our 35,000 sq ft Miami base is stocked with high-quality, ready-to-dispatch USM, which we believe gives us and our customers a strategic advantage. The same is true for our EU-based material supporting European operators. We’re already beginning to see early signs of this shift in value, with targeted bids for inventory based on where it’s held, not just what it is.”
Meanwhile, German manufacturer MTU Aero Engines announced higher-than-expected Q1 earnings and free cash flow despite recently issuing guidance that the volatile global tariff situation would have a negative influence on FY 2025.
“Based on current information, the company expects that, without mitigation measures, a direct impact in the mid to high double-digit million euro range could arise in fiscal 2025. MTU is currently exploring all possible measures to reduce this potential burden,” said the company in a statement.
Further details regarding MTU’s financial figures for the first quarter of 2025 will be published in its quarterly statement on 6 May 2025.
“The recent announcement of tariffs on goods entering the United States has raised important questions about investment, inventory strategy and the flow of critical materials,” said Simon Goodson, CEO, AerFin.
