New Delhi: The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China‘S (Komack, c919China’s answer Airbus and Boeing monopoly, recently made its first international appearance, performing a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow. It is an important milestone for China’s growing aviation sector and its “Made in China” policy, which aims to reduce dependence on Western aerospace giants.
why it matters
The C919, which competes directly with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8, is part of China’s strategic effort to gain a foothold in the global passenger jet market. Despite only being certified within China at present and having a limited number of aircraft in service, the C919’s inclusion in the aviation industry’s supply shortage and fleet assessment indicates growing interest.
The international debut of the C919 comes at a time when the aviation industry is keenly watching COMAC’s moves. With Boeing and Airbus facing production and crisis management challenges, the C919’s entry into the market is seen as a potential game-changer. This is underlined by COMAC’s announcement to invest tens of billions of yuan over the next 3-5 years to expand production of the C919.
zoom in
Comac’s C919 and ARJ21 models are making a splash beyond Chinese borders, with the C919 flying to Hong Kong and ARJ21s in service with Indonesia’s TransNusa Air. This expansion is significant as Comac seeks European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation for the C919, which could significantly expand its penetration into the international market.
“We have also seen a growing trend where customers are incorporating the C919 option into their fleet evaluation,” Adam Cowburn of Alton Aviation Consultancy told Reuters.
between the lines
While the C919’s journey is a milestone for Chinese aviation, challenges still remain. Certification outside China and reliance on international supply chains are hurdles Comac must overcome. However, aviation consultancy IBA’s forecast of 7-10 C919 deliveries in 2024 and the market opportunity presented by the Airbus and Boeing backlog suggest a strategic head start for Comac.
(with inputs from agencies)
why it matters
The C919, which competes directly with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8, is part of China’s strategic effort to gain a foothold in the global passenger jet market. Despite only being certified within China at present and having a limited number of aircraft in service, the C919’s inclusion in the aviation industry’s supply shortage and fleet assessment indicates growing interest.
The international debut of the C919 comes at a time when the aviation industry is keenly watching COMAC’s moves. With Boeing and Airbus facing production and crisis management challenges, the C919’s entry into the market is seen as a potential game-changer. This is underlined by COMAC’s announcement to invest tens of billions of yuan over the next 3-5 years to expand production of the C919.
zoom in
Comac’s C919 and ARJ21 models are making a splash beyond Chinese borders, with the C919 flying to Hong Kong and ARJ21s in service with Indonesia’s TransNusa Air. This expansion is significant as Comac seeks European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation for the C919, which could significantly expand its penetration into the international market.
“We have also seen a growing trend where customers are incorporating the C919 option into their fleet evaluation,” Adam Cowburn of Alton Aviation Consultancy told Reuters.
between the lines
While the C919’s journey is a milestone for Chinese aviation, challenges still remain. Certification outside China and reliance on international supply chains are hurdles Comac must overcome. However, aviation consultancy IBA’s forecast of 7-10 C919 deliveries in 2024 and the market opportunity presented by the Airbus and Boeing backlog suggest a strategic head start for Comac.
(with inputs from agencies)
