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China's Comac Aims for Skies, Faces Boeing/Airbus Giant
5 Feb
Summary
- Comac is exporting its C909 regional jet to Southeast Asia.
- The C919 received only 15 deliveries last year, falling short of targets.
- European certification for the C919 could take three to six years.
China's Commercial Aircraft Corp (Comac) is gradually building its presence in the global aviation market, aiming to become a credible competitor to established giants Boeing and Airbus. Currently, Comac's efforts are focused on exporting its C909 regional jet, which seats up to 97 passengers, to Southeast Asian markets. Indonesian airline TransNusa was an early foreign customer, using the C909 on regional routes.
However, Comac faces significant hurdles. The company's manufacturing capacity is limited compared to its Western rivals, as evidenced by only 15 C919 deliveries last year, below its targets. Furthermore, over 40% of C919 components are imported, and it lacks certification from US or European regulators. European evaluators are currently assessing the C919, a process that could take three to six years.
Despite these challenges, Comac holds a strong position in its domestic market. By 2030, its share of China's narrow-body plane deliveries is projected to reach 65%. This domestic strength is crucial as China continues its decades-long pursuit of self-reliance in aviation manufacturing, a goal that has gained urgency under President Xi Jinping.
