COMAC, a Chinese state-owned planemaker, plans to showcase its C919 and ARJ21 planes through flying displays in five Southeast Asian countries. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Shanghai-based aircraft manufacturer said that both planes will conduct demonstration flights in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia in the next two weeks.
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The C919 passenger jet arrived in Vietnam on Monday to participate in an air show, following its showcase at the Singapore Airshow last week. This marked the first display of the narrow-body plane outside China, which is believed to rival Boeing's 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo.
The ARJ21 regional jet, a smaller predecessor that usually flies in China and is also operated by an Indonesian airline, was also exhibited. According to COMAC, the jet, which has 78 to 97 seats, will take off from Van Don International Airport in northern Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon to conduct a demonstration flight.
The company stated that the primary goal of these flights is to display the planes' exceptional performance and establish a foundation for future market expansion in Southeast Asia. China has expressed its desire to gain broader international recognition for the C919 this year, including pursuing certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. It has received over 1,000 orders for the jet, but mostly from Chinese airlines and aircraft lessors.