China's first homegrown airliner makes international debut

China’s first homegrown airliner makes international debut

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (Comac) C919, China’s answer to the Airbus and Boeing duopoly, has just made its first international appearance, performing a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow. This marks a significant milestone for China’s burgeoning aviation sector and its “Made in China” policy, aimed at reducing reliance 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 push to secure a foothold in the global passenger jet market. Despite being currently certified only within China and having a limited number of aircraft in service, the aviation industry’s supply crunch and the C919’s inclusion in fleet evaluations signal growing interest.

The C919’s international debut comes at a time when the aviation industry is keenly observing Comac’s moves. With Boeing and Airbus facing production and crisis management challenges, the entry of the C919 into the market is seen as a potential game-changer. This is underscored by Comac’s announcement to invest tens of billions of yuan in the next 3-5 years to ramp up C919 production.

Zoom in

Comac’s C919 and ARJ21 models are making waves beyond Chinese borders, with the C919 flying to Hong Kong and ARJ21s in service with Indonesia’s TransNusa Air. This expansion is critical as Comac seeks European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation for the C919, which could significantly boost its international market penetration.

“We have also seen a growing trend where clients are including the C919 option in their fleet evaluation,” Adam Cowburn of Alton Aviation Consultancy, told Reuters.

Between the lines

While the C919’s journey is a landmark for Chinese aviation, challenges remain. Certification outside China and the reliance on international supply chains are hurdles that Comac must navigate. However, the 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 opening for Comac.

(With inputs from agencies)

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