COMAC’s C919 Rising: China’s Jet Maker Gains Momentum Against Aviation Giants
COMAC, (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) China’s ambitious state-owned aircraft manufacturer, is steadily emerging as a serious contender to the long-standing Boeing-Airbus duopoly in commercial aviation. Headquartered in Shanghai, COMAC focuses on building modern passenger jets, with its flagship C919 narrow-body aircraft directly challenging the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families.
The C919 — seating 158–192 passengers with a range of 4,075–5,555 km — entered commercial service in 2023 and features advanced cockpit design, low noise, and comfortable cabins. While primarily powered by Western CFM LEAP-1C engines and relying on foreign components for key systems, it has gained traction domestically.
By early 2026, COMAC had delivered around 32 C919s and over 180 C909s (the rebranded ARJ21 regional jet). After supply chain hurdles in 2025, production is accelerating: targets aim for at least 28 C919 deliveries this year, potentially one every 10–15 days as issues ease.
Recent highlights include a standout performance at the Singapore Airshow 2026, featuring flight demonstrations and a new order for six C909 firefighting variants. China is also proposing regulatory changes to allow C919 operations on narrower 30-meter runways, boosting regional access. EASA test flights continue toward international certification (though full approval may take years), while Southeast Asian carriers show growing interest.
With over 1,000 C919 orders (mostly domestic) and expanding presence in Laos, Indonesia, and Vietnam via the C909, COMAC is leveraging China’s vast market and strategic push to claim its share of global aviation.
