By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: COMAC: A Chinese Challenger?
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > COMAC: A Chinese Challenger?

COMAC: A Chinese Challenger?

Travel Radar
Last updated: 24 January 2020 20:24
By Travel Radar Staff 4 Min Read
Share
COMAC C919 on Takeoff
SHARE

Established in May 2008 COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) is a state-owned aerospace manufacturer based in Shanghai. With the size of the Chinese aviation market expected to exceed that of the US in the near future and the technological capacity of the economy, the clear intention of its establishment is to break the global near-duopoly of Airbus and Boeing.

COMAC on takeoff
The C919 © COMAC

The first aircraft produced—which had its maiden flight in November 2008—is the ARJ21 Xiangfeng, (‘Soaring Phoenix’) Advanced Regional Jet. The ARJ was introduced into service by Chengdu Airlines in June 2016. The -700 series baseline model has a capacity of up to 95 passengers, and the stretched -900 up to 105 and a range of 2200 km for the -700 and as far as 3300 km for the extended range -900. Both models are powered by the GE34-10A engines.

The ARJ21 has been plagued by delays, noise and other problems and has been rejected by many commentators as vastly inferior to comparable offerings from Bombardier and Embraer; analyst Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group takes a dim view. He said the ARJ is ‘overweight and stunningly obsolete…with no relevance outside of China.’

COMAC has bigger hopes for its larger aircraft, the C919, designed as a direct competitor to the 737-MAX and the A320neo. The C919 first flew in May 2017 and commercial deliveries are expected for China Eastern next year. It is expected to carry up to 168 passengers over a distance of up to 5500 km for the extended range variant. The aircraft will be powered by the CFM LEAP, the PW1000G or the local ACAE CJ-1000A engine. With the problems surrounding the ARJ21, there are doubts that the C919 will be ready as advertised and by then may be overtaken technologically by Airbus and Boeing. However COMAC has 305 firm orders, including from Air China, China Southern and China Eastern and over 1000 commitments.

A major hurdle for COMAC is certification. Only the Chinese authority (and a few some countries in Asia and Africa) have approved the aircraft. For a significant expansion, the FAA and European EASA would also need to certify.

A major advantage to the emerging markets of Africa and Asia is the price; the list price of the C919 is reported to be in the region of $50 million- about half the price of the A320neo. The debacle of the 737-MAX is also playing into COMAC’s hands.

In partnership with Russia, COMACs next project is the so-called CR929, a widebody with a range of 12 000 km and carrying 280 passengers.

At the moment COMAC is certainly a small player, both in the world and even within China. But with state support and the country’s undoubted prowess in manufacturing and technology, the western manufacturers are no doubt watching carefully.

You Might Also Like

Wheel on Landing Gear Fell Lose on Jeju Air Plane When Landing

IATA records 8% Global Passenger Growth from April 2024

RwandAir Plans to Boost Heathrow Route with Leased A330

Wizz Air Welcomes its First Airbus A321XLR

From Waste to Watts: Cathay Dining Launches Hong Kong’s First Inflight Food Waste Recycling System

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Travel Radar
By Travel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article The Truth About Your Next Flight Could Shock You
Next Article Kobe Bryant dies in California Helicopter Crash.
3 Comments
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

EasyJet and EasyJet Holidays partners
EasyJet: Launch of new base in Newcastle, Creating 1,200 job opportunities in UK
Airline Economics
Air Niugini A220
Air Niugini Expands Airbus A220 Fleet to Boost Regional Connectivity
Aviation Did You Know Travel
Pegasus Airlines Airbus A320-251N © Kasongo Bulobo
Pegasus Airlines Expands Network with 6 New Routes Across Turkey and Europe
Airlines Aviation Route Development
Newly appointed IATA Regional Vice President, Sheldon Hee
IATA Appoints Sheldon Hee as Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific
Airlines Aviation Did You Know
T'way Air Airbus A330-200 at Frankfurt Airport arriving from Seoul, Incheon Airport.
Korean Air, Jeju Air, and T’way Air Face Hefty Fine of US $2.6 Million
Airlines Aviation Incidents & Accidents
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?