Apple has airlifted over 600 tons (1.5 million) of iPhones from India to the US as part of its efforts to secure supply amid looming tariffs. The company had increased production in India recently, but high tariffs were set to hit some major suppliers.
The airlift was made possible by chartering six planes with 100-ton capacities that flew iPhones from Chennai International Airport in southern India to the US. To speed up the process, Apple lobbied Indian airport authorities to reduce customs clearance time from 30 hours to just six hours.
Apple aims to “beat” the tariff threat, according to an anonymous source. The company is also expanding production at its iPhone plants in India by adding workers and opening a new factory on Sundays, which is unusual for Foxconn’s usual rest day.
The US-China trade war has left Apple’s supply chain uncertain, with some analysts predicting that the company may face further disruptions. However, recent tariff announcements have provided relief to the stock market, at least temporarily.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/04/10/apple-airlifts-600-tons-iphones-india-china-tariffs