New C919, a domestically produced passenger airplane from China, successfully completed its maiden flight outside of China at the Singapore Airshow. Although the aircraft had its first commercial flight in May, it has only been granted permission to operate within China’s borders until now.
Industry experts suggest that the single-aisle C919 aircraft produced by China’s state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) could pose a fresh competition for Boeing and Airbus in the commercial aviation industry. Comac revealed during the air show that it had secured an agreement with Tibet Airlines, finalizing an order for 40 of their narrow-body jets. These jets are designed to accommodate a maximum of 192 passengers and can travel distances of up to 3,500 miles (5,644km).
Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’s commercial aircraft business, reportedly stated during the air show that the C919 is not significantly different from the offerings of Airbus and Boeing. European aerospace giant’s Chief Executive confirmed that the C919 would not cause any major disruptions in the industry, but he acknowledged it as a valid endeavor by China and recognized the ample market room for competition.
Comac has been identified as a potential beneficiary of the challenges faced by Boeing, particularly regarding the 737 Max. Industry analysts believe that the absence of Boeing’s commercial aircraft at the show is due to the aftermath of a mid-flight blowout incident involving a section of the fuselage of a 737 Max 9 aircraft in January.
The C919 aircraft program received approval from the Chinese government authorities in Beijing 16 years ago, but encountered numerous challenges related to regulations and technology, including US export controls. Although the plane is manufactured in China, it heavily depends on Western parts, including flight controls and jet engines. The C919 utilizes the identical engine found in the Airbus A320neo narrow-body passenger jet.
@ElectoralAveryDemocrat7mos7MO
We don't have that much time left to fix Boeing.
@SereneDolphinLibertarian7mos7MO
Boeing has been buying back so much of its stock that it now has a negative book value.
The first step is bankruptcy, then replace the entire executive management team with competent folks.
@P0litic4lDomRepublican7mos7MO
" due to frequent accidents recently, Boeing will not send a commercial aircraft to the show this year."
Basically, it is a knock-off Airbus A320, because objectively, nobody would want to make a replica B737 Max.
@Qu0rumMothNo Labels7mos7MO
You know, the roman empire was able to defeat carthage in the first punic wars by just completely ripping out all their boats
@9CJ6CB67mos7MO
The Roman Empire also had a massive military with enough funding and support to conquer the planet. That’s America, not China.
@InaugurationZachRepublican7mos7MO
Yet Xi uses Boeing, stop your propaganda clown.
@LovingRhinoNo Labels7mos7MO
Self-developed? You mean the wings and fuselage only? Literally all the critical parts come from western companies. All of them.
@Patriot-#1776Constitution7mos7MO
It deeply annoys me how this is what people chose to talk about on this website, rather than the issues on AMERICAN SOIL that actually matter...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.