Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has secured a series of new orders for its domestically developed aircraft at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Zhuhai Airshow), marking a significant milestone in the industrialization and commercialization of China-made aircraft.
The exhibition, which kicked off on Tuesday and will run through Sunday in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, has attracted 1,022 exhibiting companies from 47 countries and regions, setting a new record for the event’s scale.
Among the major developments, state-owned carrier Air China has signed a framework agreement with COMAC to become the world’s first airline to operate the widebody C929 aircraft. The C929, which boasts a capacity of 280 seats and a flying range of up to 12,000 kilometers, is still in the preliminary design stage but is expected to be a key player in China’s ambitions to break into the global aircraft market.
Additionally, HNA Group, a Haikou-based conglomerate, has committed to purchasing 60 C919 single-aisle aircraft and 40 C909 regional jets from COMAC. The C909 is a newly branded version of the ARJ21, China’s regional jetliner, and COMAC explained that standardizing aircraft product names will help improve recognition and strengthen the brand.
The C919 and C929, alongside the newly rebranded C909, were prominently featured at COMAC’s booth, with various models on display, including those designed for medical, firefighting, cargo, emergency rescue, and business purposes.
Lin Zhijie, a civil aviation industry analyst, emphasized that the growing scale of operations for the C919 is providing airlines with an alternative to aircraft manufactured by Boeing and Airbus. “The development of the C919 has driven breakthroughs in a range of advanced manufacturing technologies in China,” Lin said.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines, the only local carrier in Guizhou province, also signed an agreement with COMAC for 30 C909 jets, which includes both confirmed and intentional orders. The airline said the new aircraft would bolster its fleet and improve market competitiveness.
In a further sign of growing infrastructure support, COMAC has also partnered with Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) to purchase four simulators for the C919 and C909, which will aid in pilot training.
At the airshow, COMAC also forged a new partnership with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to establish a large-aircraft research institute, which will focus on future technologies for the aviation industry.
According to COMAC’s projections, China is expected to become the world’s largest civil aviation market over the next 20 years, with demand for 9,323 new commercial airplanes. The company anticipates an annual passenger turnover growth rate of 5.3 percent.