Comac wins a big order

BTN News
Wednesday, 01 May 2024

The as-yet-only-certified-by-China plane maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) says China Southern is buying 100 of its C919 planes. 


The airline is China’s biggest domestic operator and also has a large international network.

The C919 has been described by some commentators as a possible future competitor to Airbus’ A320 and Boeing's 737 and in late April, Air China signed a similar order for 100 of the jets. It means all three of China's largest airlines now have ordered the plane.

Admittedly, COMAC seems to have delivery advantages compared to its European and US competitors, with both Airbus and Boeing stuck with delivery dates until the end of the decade.

China’s Global Times newspaper has pointed out that at least 40 per cent of C919 components come from international firms, meaning some of the problems faced by Boeing and Airbus could easily start to impact COMAC deliveries.

So is it all good news?

Also, all of China’s biggest airlines have large order backlogs with Airbus and/or Boeing. 
 
Air Lease executive chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy says he does not believe the US Federal Aviation Administration or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will approve the C919 for commercial flying in their airspace in its current form.

Comac wins a big order

BTN News
Wednesday, 01 May 2024

The as-yet-only-certified-by-China plane maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) says China Southern is buying 100 of its C919 planes. 


The airline is China’s biggest domestic operator and also has a large international network.

The C919 has been described by some commentators as a possible future competitor to Airbus’ A320 and Boeing's 737 and in late April, Air China signed a similar order for 100 of the jets. It means all three of China's largest airlines now have ordered the plane.

Admittedly, COMAC seems to have delivery advantages compared to its European and US competitors, with both Airbus and Boeing stuck with delivery dates until the end of the decade.

China’s Global Times newspaper has pointed out that at least 40 per cent of C919 components come from international firms, meaning some of the problems faced by Boeing and Airbus could easily start to impact COMAC deliveries.

So is it all good news?

Also, all of China’s biggest airlines have large order backlogs with Airbus and/or Boeing. 
 
Air Lease executive chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy says he does not believe the US Federal Aviation Administration or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will approve the C919 for commercial flying in their airspace in its current form.