Air China Commits to Purchase 100 Comac C919 Jets in $10.8 Billion Deal

8 months ago Editor

Chinese Airline’s Order Provides Significant Boost to Homegrown Aircraft Manufacturer

image source: REUTERS

In a landmark deal, Air China has announced its intention to purchase 100 Comac C919 jets, solidifying its support for the burgeoning domestic aerospace industry and positioning itself as a key player in China’s aviation sector. The agreement, valued at $10.8 billion based on list prices, represents a significant milestone for Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China) as it seeks to challenge the dominance of established players like Airbus and Boeing.

According to a filing by Air China, the delivery of the 100 C919 aircraft is scheduled to take place between 2024 and 2031. This substantial order marks a notable expansion of Air China’s commitment to the C919, following its previous purchase of a limited number of these homegrown jets.

The Comac C919 is designed to compete directly with Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo, which currently dominate the global market for narrow-body jetliners. With Air China’s fleet consisting of nearly 500 airplanes, including models from both Boeing and Airbus, the addition of 100 C919 jets underscores the airline’s confidence in the capabilities and potential of domestically manufactured aircraft.

A COMAC C919 passenger jet taxis on the runway after after making its maiden flight from the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China, on Saturday 05 May, 2017. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

This announcement coincides with Suparna Airlines’ decision to transition its entire fleet from Boeing to the C919, signaling growing momentum for Comac within the Chinese aviation industry. As Comac continues to ramp up production and secure orders from major carriers like Air China and Suparna Airlines, it poses a formidable challenge to the longstanding duopoly of Boeing and Airbus.

The emergence of Comac as a viable alternative for commercial jetliner manufacturing reflects China’s ambitions to establish itself as a leading player in the global aerospace sector. With ongoing investments in research, development, and production capabilities, Chinese aircraft manufacturers are poised to reshape the dynamics of the industry in the years to come.

As Air China and other domestic carriers embrace the C919 and demonstrate their confidence in homegrown aircraft technology, the spotlight shines brighter on Comac’s journey to disrupt the traditional aerospace market. With each new order and delivery, the vision of a thriving Chinese aviation industry takes one step closer to realization, opening up new opportunities for growth, innovation, and competition on the global stage.