The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is setting its sights on new horizons with the development of the C929 and C939 widebody aircraft. These ambitious projects mark China's determined effort to challenge the dominance of Airbus and Boeing in the global aviation market. While both aircraft are still under development, they promise to rival some of the largest and most advanced planes currently in service, such as the Boeing 777 and 747.
The C929, expected to carry up to 440 passengers over a range of 12,000 kilometers, aims to match the performance metrics of industry stalwarts like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350. COMAC envisions these aircraft as game-changers in its quest to break the Western duopoly. Yet, the company has not committed to a delivery date for these models, indicating that significant hurdles remain.
In its efforts to produce world-class jets, COMAC faces several challenges. One major obstacle is engine supply, as the company will likely rely on Western suppliers due to the inadequacy of domestic alternatives. This dependency underscores China's broader ambition in aviation—to innovate while leveraging international partnerships to achieve technological parity with established players.
COMAC's journey with the C929 began as a Sino-Russian joint venture in 2016 under the name CR929. Although Russia later withdrew, leaving COMAC to continue independently, the groundwork laid during the partnership provides a vital foundation. A source from COMAC's subsidiary Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing noted, "Certainly you don’t have to start all over again, as the CR929 has already provided a foundation."
Orders for the C929 are already in place, with Air China poised as the launch customer. John Grant, an analyst with British aviation consultancy OAG, emphasized the ongoing demand for such widebodies, stating, "demand for widebodies will sustain, with long-haul routes unsuitable for small units." This demand suggests a promising market for COMAC's new aircraft.
Despite this potential, geopolitical tensions could pose significant risks. Richard Aboulafia, managing director of US-based Aerodynamic Advisory, cautioned that "the C929 and C939 may face further uncertainties" due to the political climate. He also highlighted concerns about Western perceptions of China's aviation sector: "China’s aircraft sector may be seen as dual military-civilian by the West going forward – good luck getting approval for using Western engines [for new models] should political and trade environment changes deepen."
To mitigate these risks, increased transparency and collaboration with Western firms could prove beneficial. David Yu, a professor at New York University Shanghai specializing in aviation financing, observed, "The more Western firms get involved, the more transparent China’s civil aviation programmes will become and the less political blowback from the West there will be."
COMAC's strategy includes leveraging existing relationships with suppliers from previous projects. A source from Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing suggested that "A majority of the C919’s Western suppliers… can smoothly transition to the C929 and future programmes." This continuity could streamline the development process for COMAC's widebody ambitions.
Wei Yingbiao, a former deputy general manager at COMAC, indicated that the company is already designing these new models and considering future innovations. He stated, "We are eyeing C929 and C939 widebodies, doing designs. In addition, we are also envisioning new generations down the road, including electric, hydrogen and hybrid types."
The timeline for the C929 and C939 development is notably shorter than those of Boeing and Airbus's first widebodies. COMAC's domestic suppliers are set to begin shipping large components, including the first fuselage middle section, by 2027. This accelerated schedule reflects COMAC's aggressive pursuit of market entry.
David Yu remarked on the visibility and significance of aircraft manufacturing: "There are not too many other engineering products other than big planes that are so visible, so recognisable." This statement underscores the symbolic importance of COMAC's success in building a competitive widebody aircraft.
Leave a Reply