This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and includes data from public trade records.

Brazil Welcomes Removal of U.S. Aircraft Tariffs, Restoring Duty-Free Status for Embraer

The Brazilian government has officially welcomed a decision by the United States to eliminate import tariffs on Brazilian aircraft, effectively restoring a “zero-tariff” trade relationship for the aerospace sector. According to reporting by Reuters, the move reduces the duty on Brazilian jets entering the U.S. from 10% to zero, a significant shift following months of volatile trade policy.

The decision comes in the wake of a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling on February 20, 2026, which struck down previous broad tariff structures. In response, the U.S. administration pivoted to a new strategy under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. While this new measure imposes temporary global tariffs on many goods, civil aircraft, engines, and parts were specifically listed as exempt, providing immediate relief to Brazilian planemaker Embraer and its U.S. customers.

This policy shift marks a return to the status quo that existed for over 45 years prior to April 2025, during which the U.S. and Brazil traded civil aviation products duty-free. The reinstatement of this status is expected to have widespread implications for the regional airline market in the United States.

Impact on Embraer and Global Competition

The removal of the 10% levy is a major victory for Embraer, Brazil’s leading exporter of high-value manufactured goods. For the past year, the tariff placed Embraer at a price disadvantage compared to its primary competitors, such as Canada’s Bombardier and France’s Dassault, whose business jets continued to enter the U.S. market duty-free.

According to trade data, aircraft represent Brazil’s third-largest export to the United States, valued at approximately $1.41 billion in the first half of 2025 alone. Brazilian Vice President and Minister of Development Geraldo Alckmin praised the decision, noting that it restores “competitive parity” for Brazilian industry.

Relief for U.S. Regional Carriers

The exemption is also a critical development for U.S. regional airlines. Carriers such as SkyWest, Republic Airways, and American Airlines rely heavily on Embraer’s E175 jets to operate their regional networks. Industry analysts have noted that these airlines faced the prospect of deferring deliveries or absorbing higher costs under the previous tariff regime.

By exempting civil aircraft from the new Section 122 measures, the U.S. administration has ensured a steady supply of regional jets required to replace aging fleets without imposing inflationary costs on domestic carriers.

Legal Context and Future Uncertainty

The legal landscape surrounding this decision remains complex. The exemption was triggered after the Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. CASA, Inc. that the executive branch lacked the authority to impose the previous tariff structures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Consequently, the administration invoked Section 122 to maintain trade pressure while carving out exemptions for critical sectors like aerospace.

However, legal experts warn that this relief may be temporary. The tariffs implemented under Section 122 are legally limited to a duration of 150 days, set to expire in July 2026. Furthermore, the administration has indicated that an investigation into Brazil’s trade practices under Section 301 is ongoing, which could lead to targeted tariffs in the future.

“Now it seems we have a window at least where we can import these aircraft free from tariffs. The question is how long that window will last.”

Tobias Kleitman, President of TVPX, via industry reports

AirPro News Analysis

We view this exemption as a pragmatic concession by Washington rather than a purely diplomatic gesture toward Brazil. The U.S. regional aviation market is structurally dependent on the Embraer E175; there is currently no U.S.-manufactured alternative that meets the scope clause requirements of major pilot contracts. Penalizing Embraer imports would have disproportionately harmed U.S. airlines and the traveling public in smaller markets.

While the immediate threat has passed, the 150-day clock on Section 122 measures creates a “sunset horizon.” We advise stakeholders to accelerate deliveries where possible before July 2026, as the long-term trade framework between the U.S. and Brazil remains unsettled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the previous tariff rate?
Between April 2025 and February 2026, Brazilian aircraft imports were subject to a 10% tariff.

Why was the tariff removed?
A Supreme Court ruling invalidated the previous tariff authority. The administration subsequently issued new temporary measures that specifically exempted civil aircraft.

Does this affect private jets?
Yes. The exemption covers civil aircraft, which includes executive jets like Embraer’s Praetor and Phenom series.

Sources

• Reuters
• U.S. Supreme Court (Ruling Summaries)
• FlightGlobal

An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 was removed from service earlier this week after a bullet hole was discovered in the aircraft’s right wing following a round-trip rotation between Miami and Medellín, Colombia. The incident, which took place between February 22 and February 23, 2026, has prompted investigations by safety authorities in both the United States and Colombia.

According to reporting by CBS News, the damage was identified on a flight control surface, specifically the aileron, consistent with a projectile strike. While the flight landed safely without injury to passengers or crew, the discovery highlights ongoing security concerns regarding flight operations in specific regions of Latin America.

Incident Details and Timeline

The aircraft involved is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as N342SX. It operated Flight AA923 from Miami International Airport (MIA) to José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, serving Medellín, on the night of Sunday, February 22. It was scheduled to return as Flight AA924 on the morning of Monday, February 23.

According to data summarized by aviation tracking outlets, the damage involved a puncture hole in the right wing aileron, a critical flight control surface used to bank the aircraft. The damage reportedly showed clear entry and exit points indicative of a bullet strike.

Conflicting Accounts of Discovery

While the existence of the damage is confirmed, reports differ regarding when the bullet hole was first detected. Two primary narratives have emerged from aviation journalism sources:

• The Medellín Discovery Scenario: Citing a statement attributed to American Airlines, CBS News reports that the damage was identified during a routine inspection while the aircraft was still on the ground in Medellín. In this version of events, temporary repairs were reportedly made overnight, allowing the plane to operate the return flight to Miami safely.
• The Miami Discovery Scenario: Conversely, outlets such as AviationSource and AirLive report that the damage was only discovered after the return flight (AA924) had already landed in Miami on Monday morning. This scenario implies the aircraft may have flown passengers back to the U.S. carrying undetected damage.

Following the conclusion of its passenger service, the aircraft was ferried without passengers from Miami to the airline’s maintenance hub at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) on the night of February 23 for permanent repairs.

Official Statements and Investigation

American Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement provided to media outlets. The carrier emphasized that safety remained the priority throughout the operation.

“The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.”

, American Airlines statement via CBS News

Advertisement

In Colombia, the Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) announced it would launch an investigation to determine the origin of the projectile. According to local reports, Aerocivil is working to establish whether the impact occurred while the aircraft was in Colombian airspace or on the ground. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also aware of the incident and is expected to collaborate on the inquiry.

Regional Security Context

The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened security alerts in the Rionegro area, where the Medellín airport is located. Local reporting indicates that a significant shooting and police pursuit occurred in Rionegro on February 18, 2026, just days before the aircraft was struck. Authorities have maintained a high alert status at the airport following recent arrests of international fugitives.

AirPro News Analysis

Operational Risk in Latin America

This event marks another concerning instance of commercial aircraft becoming collateral damage in volatile security environments. In late 2024, aircraft from Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines were struck by gunfire while operating near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, leading to a temporary suspension of flights to that region. While the security situation in Medellín is distinct from Haiti, the vulnerability of aircraft during approach and landing, phases where they are low and slow, remains a critical challenge for airline security teams.

The discrepancy in the timeline of discovery is also significant. If the damage was indeed found in Miami rather than Medellín, it raises questions about the efficacy of turnaround inspections at outstations. Conversely, if it was found and patched in Colombia, it suggests the airline determined the damage was within the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) limits for a safe ferry or revenue flight, a standard but rigorously controlled practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was anyone injured during the incident?
No. There were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew on either the inbound or outbound flights.

What type of plane was involved?
The aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a common narrow-body jet used for short- to medium-haul international routes.

Is it safe to fly to Medellín?
Flights continue to operate. However, aviation authorities and airlines constantly monitor security situations. Following similar incidents in other regions, airlines have occasionally adjusted flight paths or schedules, though no suspension of service to Medellín has been announced at this time.

Sources

• CBS News

This article is based on an official press release from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and additional industry data.

UK Aviation Hits Historic High: 302 Million Passengers in 2025

The UK aviation sector has officially completed its post-pandemic recovery and entered a new era of growth. According to new data released by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), UK airports handled a record-breaking 302 million passenger journeys in 2025. This figure represents a 2% increase from 2024 and, crucially, surpasses the previous all-time high set in 2019.

The milestone confirms that the industry has moved beyond recovery mode. With 7 million more passengers traveling than in the previous year, the data highlights robust demand for leisure travel despite ongoing economic pressures. The CAA report indicates that while challenges remain, consumer confidence has returned to, and exceeded, pre-COVID levels.

In a statement accompanying the figures, Selina Chadha, Group Director for Consumers at the CAA, emphasized the significance of the achievement:

“It has never been more popular to fly, and 2025 was officially a record-breaking year… We continue working with aviation partners to drive even higher safety standards.”

Breaking Down the Record Numbers

The 2025 statistics paint a picture of an industry firing on all cylinders, though not without operational friction. The total of 302 million passengers was driven largely by strong leisure demand, with the CAA noting that top destinations included Dublin, Alicante, Dubai, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca.

Regional Growth and Cargo

While major hubs saw heavy traffic, regional airports demonstrated some of the fastest growth rates. According to the data:

• Liverpool grew by 11%.
• Edinburgh saw an 8% increase.
• Newcastle recorded a 7% rise in passenger numbers.

Cargo operations also saw positive momentum, with 3 million tonnes of goods transported in 2025, a 3% increase year-on-year. This suggests that the belly-hold capacity on passenger flights, a critical component of global logistics, has fully stabilized.

Punctuality Improvements

Operational resilience, a major pain point during the initial recovery years, showed signs of improvement. The CAA reported that 73% of flights operated on time in 2025. While this is an increase of 6 percentage points compared to 2024, the regulator noted that performance still lags behind the benchmarks set in 2019.

Infrastructure and Expansion Plans

The confirmation of record-breaking demand has reignited urgent discussions regarding airport capacity. With the 300-million-passenger ceiling broken, the focus has shifted to physical expansion to accommodate future travelers.

Keir Mather, the UK’s Aviation & Decarbonisation Minister, linked the record figures directly to the government’s infrastructure agenda:

“A record year… underlines the importance of boosting airport capacity as we progress our work to prepare for a third runway at Heathrow, and drive forward approved expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton.”

Industry reports indicate significant movement on these projects throughout 2025. A proposal for a third runway at Heathrow was submitted in July 2025, receiving government support later that year. Meanwhile, plans to bring Gatwick’s northern runway into routine use were approved in September 2025, with construction targeted to begin shortly. Luton Airport also received approval to expand its capacity to 32 million passengers annually.

Industry Headwinds and Sustainability

Despite the celebratory headline figures, industry leaders are urging caution. The sector faces what AirportsUK Chief Executive Karen Dee described as “significant potential headwinds.” These challenges include geopolitical instability, which continues to affect global routes, and a severe supply chain crisis.

According to industry analysis, a global backlog of over 16,000 aircraft orders and a shortage of spare parts are constraining fleet expansion for major carriers like British Airways and easyJet. Furthermore, the financial reality of decarbonization is beginning to bite. The UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, which came into force on January 1, 2025, now requires 2% of jet fuel to be sustainable, slightly increasing operational costs.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, highlighted the dual challenge of growth and greening:

“This data confirms aviation’s role as a growth engine for the UK economy… UK airlines are working hard to meet this demand whilst reducing our environmental impact.”

AirPro News Analysis

The 2025 data reveals a critical tension at the heart of UK aviation. On one hand, the “revenge travel” phenomenon has evolved into sustained structural growth, with 31% of consumers telling the CAA they plan to fly more in 2026. On the other hand, the infrastructure to support this growth is lagging. While approvals for Heathrow and Gatwick are promising, the timelines (late 2020s to mid-2030s) mean the sector must manage this record demand with existing constraints for several more years.

Furthermore, the 73% on-time performance figure, while improved, suggests the system is running hot. Without the buffer of new capacity, minor disruptions in 2026 could easily cascade into larger operational failures. The relaunch of the “Jet Zero Taskforce” in early 2025 also signals that the political license to grow is strictly conditional on meeting environmental targets, a difficult balancing act when passenger numbers are climbing faster than zero-emission technology can scale.

Sources

Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority