The C919, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) as a competitor to Airbus and Boeing, recently made its inaugural international appearance with a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow.

This event represents a notable achievement for China's rapidly growing aviation industry and underscores its commitment to the "Made in China" policy, which seeks to diminish dependence on Western aerospace manufacturers.

The C919, a direct competitor to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8, reflects China's strategic efforts to establish a presence in the worldwide passenger jet market.

Despite its current certification being limited to China and a relatively small number of aircraft in operation, the aviation industry's supply shortages and the consideration of the C919 for inclusion in fleet assessments indicate increasing attention toward the aircraft.

The international introduction of the C919 coincides with heightened scrutiny of Comac's actions by the aviation industry. Amid production and crisis management difficulties faced by Boeing and Airbus, the entry of the C919 into the market is perceived as a significant potential disruptor. This sentiment is reinforced by Comac's declaration of plans to invest tens of billions of yuan over the next 3-5 years to scale up C919 production.

Comac's C919 and ARJ21 models are gaining attention outside of China, with the C919 flying to Hong Kong and ARJ21s already in operation with Indonesia's TransNusa Air. This expansion holds significant importance for Comac as it pursues validation from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for the C919, a move that could greatly enhance its access to international markets.

COMAC offers two passenger aircraft, the ARJ21 regional jet and the larger C919 twin-engine narrow-body airliner, which accommodates 158-192 seats. The C919 competes directly with the well-established Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8 models in the market.

Adam Cowburn of Alton Aviation Consultancy informed Reuters that there is a noticeable increase in clients considering the C919 as an option during their fleet evaluations.

Despite marking a significant milestone for Chinese aviation, the C919 still faces challenges. Obtaining certification outside of China and dependence on international supply chains present hurdles that Comac must address.

However, with IBA forecasting 7-10 C919 deliveries in 2024 and considering the market opportunity resulting from the backlog at Airbus and Boeing, there appears to be a strategic opportunity for Comac.

Image source: Times of India