Lufthansa is weighing plans to process future Boeing aircraft purchases through its Swiss subsidiary in an effort to help Switzerland reduce its trade surplus with the United States, Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reported.
The move comes as part of wider efforts by the Swiss government and major companies to persuade Washington to ease a 39% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Swiss imports, the report said.
Jens Fehlinger, CEO of Swiss International Air Lines – a Lufthansa Group carrier – met with two members of the Swiss Federal Council in Washington last week, according to Tages-Anzeiger. The meetings, which coincided with a visit by Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Economic Affairs Minister Guy Parmelin, included talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Fehlinger, alongside other business leaders, reportedly proposed that Lufthansa route some of its upcoming Boeing purchases, worth around $23.5bn through Switzerland.
While the aircraft would still operate for other Lufthansa airlines, booking the purchases via Swiss entities could help offset Switzerland’s significant trade surplus with the US.
The proposal involves Lufthansa’s Malta-based aircraft leasing arm, Lufthansa Malta Aircraft-Leasing, which could be restructured or relocated. The company, with minimal staff, generated €185 million in profit in 2019, according to the German Network for Tax Justice.
The Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) declined to comment on the report. In a statement to Tages-Anzeiger, Swiss said Fehlinger had discussed aircraft import conditions and possible US options "for the Lufthansa Group, for Swiss, as well as for the US and US companies."
Lufthansa added that it was “interested in the sustainable economic success of Swiss and accordingly in a prosperous Swiss economy.”
Although some media speculation suggested Swiss itself might order new Boeing jets, this appears unlikely given its all-Airbus fleet strategy. The carrier currently operates 12 777 long-haul aircraft, with no short-term plans to expand that fleet. Swiss is scheduled to take delivery of Airbus A350s starting this year.
Swiss was the only Lufthansa airline to post a profit in the first half of 2025, aided by its strong domestic market. However, weakening demand on transatlantic routes - particularly in economy class - has pressured margins, and a prolonged tariff dispute could further impact its US business, especially in cargo and premium segments.