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.

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

On May 23, the first in-flight wedding was held in the business class of an ANA plane for Toru and Mami Murakami, a Tokyo couple. The wedding was attended by a pilot, some of the airline’s flight attendants and a few guests to witness the special moment. The pilot holds up the marriage certificate of Toru and Mami Murakami. Photo: ANA. During the wedding, the airline will provide a band, accompanied by a message from the crew to celebrate the happy day and special lighting system that projects the image of the galaxy on the ceiling of the passenger compartment. ANA said the price for the in-flight wedding service was 1.56 million yen ($14,200), combined with the party held in the airport lobby for 3 million yen ($27,338). The wedding ceremony is limited to a maximum of 30 people. Before knowing about the wedding service on the plane, this couple planned not to hold the wedding, just taking a few photos to celebrate the big day. “I signed up immediately, because it would be a wonderful memory and we both love flying. There was a time when I thought it would be impossible to get married during the escalating epidemic situation, but in the end I was very happy. satisfied with his wedding ceremony,” said groom Toru. Before that, the airline had unique campaigns to attract the attention of the soon-to-be-married couples. Although the months of May and June are considered “wedding season”, many people have to limit the organization of mass gatherings to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic. Most weddings are affected by the ban on serving alcohol at party venues. In an effort to reduce the damage caused by the pandemic, ANA used to offer domestic tours by Airbus A380 aircraft. Each flight lasts 3.5 hours, passengers are served meals.