The first C919 was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December 2022, followed by the second in July 2023. The historic flight, operated by China Eastern Airlines, carried 128 passengers. This marks a significant achievement for China, as it aims to develop its own competitive alternatives to global aviation giants like Boeing and Airbus.
By August 2024, both Air China and China Southern Airlines had also received their first C919s. As of December 19, 2024, COMAC had delivered 14 C919 aircraft to the three Chinese airlines, with China Eastern Airlines leading the pack with 9 planes in its fleet.
In a significant milestone, the C919 completed its first international flight on December 31, 2024, making a scheduled journey to Hong Kong. The successful international debut underscores COMAC’s ambitions to expand beyond China’s borders, initially focusing on Southeast Asia.
The C919 is designed to carry up to 190 passengers, with a range of nearly 5,500 kilometers. It is positioned as a direct competitor to well-established narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737 MAX.
While Boeing and Airbus dominate global air travel, they are currently grappling with supply chain challenges. Boeing, for example, has experienced delays in the delivery of the 737 MAX due to safety concerns and employee protests affecting its production lines.
In 2024, the global backlog for new aircraft has reached a staggering 17,000 planes, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This surge in demand raises the question: Can COMAC’s C919 help fill the growing gap in aircraft supply?
Despite delivering 14 C919s, COMAC’s production rate pales in comparison to its international competitors. Boeing is expected to produce 29 737 MAX planes per month in 2025, and Airbus delivered 46 to 47 A320 family aircraft per month in 2024. To keep up, COMAC will need to substantially ramp up its production efforts.
However, COMAC faces several obstacles in challenging the dominance of Boeing and Airbus. While China has made significant strides in the development and manufacturing of the C919, the aircraft still depends heavily on foreign suppliers for key components. For instance, the C919 utilises engines from CFM International, highlighting China’s limited experience in large-scale commercial aircraft production.
Additionally, international market acceptance remains a critical factor in the C919’s success. The aircraft must undergo rigorous certification processes to meet the stringent standards set by international aviation regulators, particularly in the United States and Europe. Achieving these certifications is vital for COMAC as it seeks to penetrate global markets.
