China unveils C919 passenger jet at Singapore airshow, challenges airbus, boeing dominance

In a strategic move to disrupt the duopoly of aviation giants Airbus and Boeing, China showcased its first domestically produced passenger jet, the C919, at Asia’s largest airshow in Singapore.

The single-aisle aircraft, manufactured by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), aims to compete with Airbus’s A320 and Boeing’s 737 MAX while marking a significant step towards reducing China’s reliance on foreign aviation technology.

The C919, adorned in a sleek white, green, and navy-blue livery, took its maiden flight outside China during a media preview in Singapore, signaling China’s ambition to woo international buyers. The aircraft, which has been in commercial operation within China since May, is set to participate in daily flying displays during the six-day event at a convention center near Changi Airport.

Despite the aircraft’s debut outside mainland China and its commercial success within the country, analysts predict challenges in securing major international buyers due to lingering reservations about the ‘made-in-China’ aviation brand. Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst at Endau Analytics, stated that while the industry is cautious, it’s only a matter of time before a top-tier airline invests in a Chinese-made commercial jet.

China’s Tibet Airlines made the first international order for the C919 at the airshow, signing a contract for 40 aircraft along with 10 ARJ21s, smaller commercial jets also produced by COMAC. The spokesperson for COMAC did not disclose the contract’s value, emphasizing the importance of this milestone for the ambitious Chinese aviation industry.

In contrast to its usual prominence, Boeing has taken a subdued stance at the airshow, refraining from presenting any physical commercial aircraft. Analysts attribute this move to Boeing’s recent challenges, notably the incident in January where a fuselage panel on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet caused a mid-flight emergency. Shukor Yusof suggests that Boeing is intentionally laying low as it grapples with issues surrounding its product line.

With over 1,000 aviation and defense companies participating, including the addition of country pavilions from China, South Korea, and the Czech Republic, the Singapore Airshow anticipates drawing 50,000 trade attendees.

The event marks a return to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the global recovery of air travel, as international passenger traffic approaches normalcy and is projected to double by 2040, according to Cindy Koh, executive vice president of the Singapore Economic Development Board.