Horizon Air, the regional subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, has been forced to cut its summer flight schedule and postpone the delivery of two new Embraer E175 aircraft, citing economic pressures linked to US-imposed tariffs on imported goods.
Originally due for delivery in May, the aircraft are being withheld after Horizon stated it “will not accept additional costs imposed by tariffs.”
Although the most severe tariffs have been temporarily suspended, Brazil—where Embraer aircraft are manufactured—still imposes a baseline tariff of 10%, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade policy has made planning difficult for US-based carriers importing high-value equipment.
The delay has resulted in the cancellation of 14 flights per day, largely affecting services across the Pacific Northwest, according to a report by The Seattle Times.
A spokesperson for Horizon Air said: “We deeply regret the impact this situation will have on our guests this summer.
“We will continue working toward a solution that allows us to take delivery of these aircraft, and we are hopeful the disruption will be short-lived.”
Horizon Air, which currently operates a fleet of 45 aircraft, relies heavily on the Embraer E175 jet for its regional operations.
The delay in expansion is seen as a setback during what is typically a high-demand travel season, particularly for domestic and short-haul routes.
Industry analysts suggest that unless tariff negotiations improve or exceptions are granted for aerospace imports, other regional US carriers may soon face similar pressures, potentially causing further disruption across the sector.
