China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation, known as Comac, is setting its sights higher after the successful launch of its narrowbody C919 commercial aircraft.
The state-owned manufacturer has unveiled plans for the C939, a widebody plane aimed squarely at challenging the dominance of Western giants Boeing and Airbus in the commercial aviation market.
China's Comac C919 airplane sits on the tarmac at a static display at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 20, 2024. Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images
China Unveils Plans for C939 Widebody Jet to Challenge Boeing and Airbus
According to a South China Morning Post report, Comac has initiated work on the C939, which will be the third aircraft in its series of domestically produced airliners.
While preliminary designs have been outlined, it will be several years before these concepts materialize into a testable prototype. The development of the C939 highlights China's ambition to secure a lucrative share of the highly technological aviation market currently dominated by Western conglomerates.
Simultaneously, Comac is also progressing with the development of the C929, another widebody aircraft intended for international routes. Originally a joint venture with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, the project's status has been uncertain following geopolitical tensions.
Despite Russia's withdrawal from the program, progress on the C929 remains robust, with efforts paralleling the design and development processes of the successful C919.
China's Comac Expands Production Amid Growing Orders for C919
Recent developments in Comac's expansion plans tell us about its plans to bolster its production capabilities.
Reuters recently reported that Comac is expanding its production facilities for the C919 in Shanghai to meet the escalating demand. The second phase of construction, covering a vast area in Pudong, Shanghai, includes vital components such as assembly plants, parts warehouses, and tarmac areas.
This expansion aims to enhance production efficiency and support commercial operations and market competition for domestically produced large aircraft.
Furthermore, Comac's efforts have been met with significant interest from domestic carriers. Air China and China Southern Airlines have each placed orders for 100 C919 jets, signaling a growing adoption of domestically produced aircraft.
The C919 has already amassed over 1,000 orders, primarily from Chinese airlines and aircraft lessors. With ambitions to achieve an annual production capacity of 150 C919s within five years, China is aggressively pursuing broader international recognition for its aircraft, including certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Comac's inaugural model, the C919, has demonstrated its capabilities by entering commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in May 2023. Hosting 192 passengers for distances up to 5,555km, the C919 has been operating on domestic routes, marking a significant milestone in China's aviation industry.
According to estimates from Airbus, Boeing, and the International Air Transport Association, China will soon surpass the United States as the world's largest market for aviation services in a few years.
