China’s C919: The Jet That Could Break Boeing and Airbus’s Monopoly.
- Salil Kulkarni
- Jan 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 2
As state-owned Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corp of China) expands its production of C919 jets and opens offices overseas, could the world aviation industry be about to undergo a dramatic change as China aims to challenge the long-standing dominance of Boeing and Airbus?
The Rise of Comac
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is at the core of Chinese policy “Made in China 2025”. A significant milestone was declared by Comac in December 2024: the official entry of their domestically developed C919 aeroplane into regular commercial operation.
Being operated on domestic routes by all three Chinese carriers, the aircraft, which was created to compete with Boeing's 737 and Airbus' A320, has already established a solid presence in the Chinese domestic market.
With its fuel economy, cutting-edge avionics, and affordable price, the C919 is a desirable choice for airlines dealing with rising fuel prices and environmental concerns.
Sources: Comac, Airbus and Boeing, Financial Times
• Numbers may vary based on specific variants and different configurations
Expanding into Southeast Asia and Europe
Comac’s ambitions, however, extend far beyond China's borders. The company plans to begin operating the C919 in Southeast Asia by 2026, with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand identified as key target markets.
These regions are experiencing booming demand for air travel, driven by a growing middle class and rising tourism.
Not only that, Comac is seeking European certification for the C919 to compete directly with Boeing and Airbus whilst enhancing their reputation from a safety perspective
Boeing's ongoing financial troubles and delivery delays as well as widespread supply chain challenges—including engine and component shortages affecting both Boeing and Airbus creates a ideal opportunity for Comac.
The demand for new aircraft is enormous, with Airbus forecasting that the world will need approximately 42,430 new planes over the next two decades, about 80% of which will be single-aisle aircraft like the Boeing 737, Airbus A320. This demand aligns Comac in a favourable position in it’s long standing aim to disrupt and infiltrate the Boeing-Airbus duopoly.
Domestic Dominance
China’s domestic aviation market is a goldmine for Comac and ensures Comac has a guaranteed customer base. With over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly growing middle class, China is expected to become the world’s largest aviation market by the early 2030s.
Challenges facing Comac
Despite its impressive progress, Comac faces hurdles in breaking the Boeing-Airbus duopoly such as getting it’s aircraft globally certified and building support networks for maintenance, spare parts something that Boeing and Airbus have spent decades building. C919’s reliability has been brought into question by both airlines and passengers alike as building trust in the industry will take time.
To conclude
China’s aviation revolution is underway, with the C919 poised to challenge Boeing and Airbus For China, the C919 represents both opportunity and challenge. Its success will depend on overcoming these obstacles and proving it can compete on the world stage.
