China’s passenger jet C919 is lagging behind schedule

Status: 19.06.2021 07:29 a.m.

China’s domestic C919 passenger aircraft is set to compete with Airbus and Boeing. But the approval is still missing – and there is still no date for the first delivery.

From Steffen Wurzel, ARD studio Shanghai

China’s government has invested billions in developing and building its own passenger aircraft in recent years. There are great hopes for the C919. This medium-haul aircraft from the state manufacturer Comac should be able to carry up to 190 passengers in the future. In terms of size and equipment, the C919 is comparable to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. “Technically, the C919 is actually an international aircraft,” says David Yu, aviation analyst and economics professor at Shanghai’s New York University. Many individual parts of the machine come from the USA and Europe. “It will be assembled in Shanghai. Yes, the C919 is a Chinese aircraft, but with a significant proportion of foreign components,” says Yu.

05/05/2017

New Jet C919 China is now doing middle distance

The first Chinese medium-haul aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight.

Approval in China possible this year

Their Maiden flight had the C919 four years ago. It is still unclear when the machine will be delivered. The project is several years behind schedule, which is normal for all manufacturers around the world when they develop new aircraft models.

So far, the C919 does not even have official approval from the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC). If this approval is granted – and that could happen this year – the machine will probably only fly in China for the time being. It is still unclear whether the responsible aviation authorities in Europe (EASA) and the USA (FAA) will also approve the machine.

In 2017 the C919 took off on its maiden flight – the start of delivery is currently still open. Image: picture alliance / Andy Wong / AP / dpa

For the time being, probably only in Germany

Nevertheless: Even if the Chinese medium-haul jet is initially only allowed to fly on domestic routes in the People’s Republic, Airbus and Boeing will not be left without a trace, says aviation analyst Yu. “Asia and especially China are the largest growth markets for the aircraft industry. If you also look at who ordered the aircraft – especially Chinese airlines and leasing companies – it becomes clear that the C919 will take Airbus and Boeing’s market share in China reduce, “said Yu. In China, all airlines and even leasing companies belong to the state – or they are subject to the instructions of the communist leadership. Ultimately, this can decide which aircraft type is bought by whom. This is also a clear advantage for the state-owned Chinese manufacturer Comac