At the Zhuhai Airshow on November 12, 2024, Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) announced that Air China has been named as the launch customer for its upcoming C929 widebody jet. This marks a significant milestone for COMAC as it aims to break into the competitive widebody aircraft market dominated by Airbus and Boeing. The C929, designed to compete with models like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A330neo, is envisioned to seat between 280 to 400 passengers with a range of up to 12,000 kilometers (approximately 7,456 miles). This capability would position the aircraft for long-haul international routes, a segment where Airbus and Boeing have long held sway.
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The agreement with Air China does not specify the number of aircraft to be ordered or the delivery timeline, but it underscores the confidence in COMAC's product. This step forward is particularly notable given the C929's development history, which initially involved a joint venture with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) known as the CR929. However, due to geopolitical tensions and Russia's withdrawal from the venture, COMAC has been independently progressing with the project.
This development also aligns with China's broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign aircraft and to promote its aviation industry on the global stage. The C929 project has been part of a larger ambition to challenge the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing, with China investing heavily in its aerospace sector. The C929, still in the detailed design phase, has been touted as a testament to China's push towards technological self-reliance in aviation.
COMAC's announcement at the airshow, one of Asia's largest, was accompanied by the news that other Chinese airlines, including Hainan Airlines and Colorful Guizhou Airlines, have placed orders for COMAC's other models like the C919 narrowbody and the C909 regional jet, indicating a robust domestic market for COMAC's aircraft. While COMAC faces challenges in international certification and market acceptance outside of China, securing Air China as its first customer for the C929 is a strategic move to bolster its credibility and provide a domestic platform for testing and refining its widebody offering before potentially expanding into global markets.