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Topic: Trade Blog Brand: The Buzz Region: Americas, and Middle East Tags: Airbus, Aircraft, Boeing, Defense Industry, Embraer, Iran War, Operation Epic Fury, Supply Chains, and United States The Iran War Will Delay Commercial Aircraft Production, Boeing Warns March 19, 2026 By: Peter Suciu
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The turmoil in the Middle East is expected to impact supply chains and raise across-the-board costs for Boeing, as well as its competitors around the world.
Boeing has a new concern: how the ongoing conflict in the Middle East might impact the global supply chain, particularly the delivery of parts to carriers in the region. In addition, there are concerns that the war against Iran could impact Boeing’s production.
Since the war began on February 28, Boeing has been delayed in delivering components to Middle Eastern airlines, according to Reuters. In addition, the aerospace giant has reached out to its suppliers in the region to determine if the conflict is impacting deliveries of some parts manufactured in the Gulf States.
“While the Middle East region is not considered a major manufacturing hub of components for new planes, suppliers like Strata in the United Arab Emirates make parts for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner jet. Boeing, however, also sources parts like the vertical fin from other sites,” Reuters explained.
The Strait of Hormuz Closure Has Raised Costs for Aerospace Firms
Shortly after the war began, the Islamic Republic announced that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes every day. Liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, plastics, fertilizers, aluminum, and general containerized cargo, including electronics, clothing, and machinery, also move through the strait.
President Donald Trump asked Europe and China to deploy warships to open the strait, but was largely rebuffed, with many European leaders stating the conflict against Iran was not “their” war. Indeed, some NATO officials expressed frustration that Trump had launched the war against their wishes and without consulting them, then came to them for help when its economic consequences became clearer.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has dramatically increased oil prices around the world. Because nearly all goods depend on oil and gas in some fashion—whether directly or for electricity and transportation costs—second-order prices have begun to rise as well. This is especially true of the aerospace sector, due to its reliance on jet fuel and hydrocarbon-intensive smelting processes for metals like aluminum.
Boeing is unlikely to be the only company affected by the ongoing war. Airbus, Boeing’s main European rival, will likely also be impacted if the conflict were to drag on.
“A spokesperson for Airbus said the planemaker is in close dialogue with customers and suppliers across the region,” Reuters reported.
Brazilian aviation firm Embraer is also considering how the impact may affect its business, both in terms of parts sourced from Middle Eastern manufacturers and supplies to airlines in the region.
The Iran War’s Full Costs Are Hard to Measure
The conflict, now in its third week, could be felt for months to come even if it ended quickly. In particular, it could slow demand for new commercial aircraft purchases in the Middle East.
“What I’m really more concerned about is long-term demand for jets in the region,” Richard Aboulafia, managing director at US consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory, told Reuters.
A final issue is whether the Trump administration decides to invoke the Defense Production Act, which would force aerospace firms to “accelerate output to support the conflict.” Boeing would be forced to focus on military production, thus limiting what it can do on the commercial side of its business.
Last month, Boeing announced it would expand production at its St. Louis facility, where its F-15EX Eagle II fighters are being built. The company is attempting to ramp up production after the lines in the St. Louis area were shuttered following a lengthy strike last year.
It delayed deliveries of the modernized F-15s to the US Air Force and foreign partners.
The strike in the heartland also followed a larger walkout at Boeing Pacific Northwest facilities that lasted seven weeks in the fall of 2024.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
The post The Iran War Will Delay Commercial Aircraft Production, Boeing Warns appeared first on The National Interest.
Источник: nationalinterest.org