COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), the Chinese state-owned planemaker, is significantly increasing production capacity for its C919 single-aisle aircraft. According to a recent interview with The Paper, a media outlet backed by the Shanghai government, COMAC Deputy General Manager Shen Bo announced plans to ramp up production to 50 C919 planes this year and aims to manufacture 30 aircraft in 2024.
This ambitious target reflects COMAC’s determination to compete with industry giants Airbus and Boeing, who currently produce significantly higher numbers of their single-aisle A320neo and 737 MAX aircraft each month. For COMAC, scaling up production and securing certification from international aviation regulators are crucial for global expansion.
The C919 entered commercial service in 2023. Currently, around 16 C919s are operational with Chinese airlines, primarily serving domestic routes and recently expanding to Hong Kong. Aviation consultancy Cirium forecasts the delivery of an additional 27 C919 jets this year.
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China’s major state-owned airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—have each placed substantial orders for the C919. Projections indicate that each airline will operate at least 100 C919 aircraft by 2031. This domestic demand provides a strong foundation for COMAC’s production expansion. A COMAC official stated in 2023 that the company aimed to reach an annual production capacity of 150 C919 aircraft within five years.
Beyond the C919, COMAC is also developing the C929, a larger wide-body jet currently in the preliminary design and supplier selection phase. The company expects to transition to the detailed design stage soon. Air China has been confirmed as the launch customer for the C929, solidifying a key partnership for the future of this wide-body aircraft program. This dual-pronged approach—expanding C919 production while developing the C929—underscores COMAC’s long-term vision in the global aviation market.
In conclusion, COMAC’s ambitious production goals for the C919 signal a significant step in its journey to become a major player in the global aviation industry. The company’s commitment to scaling production, coupled with its ongoing development of the C929, positions COMAC for sustained growth and intensifying competition with established aircraft manufacturers. The success of the C919 will be closely watched as a key indicator of China’s growing influence in the aerospace sector.
