
China has been aggressively pursuing a global expansion of the global reach of its home-grown commercial aircraft, particularly the narrow-body C919 jet manufactured by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). This push is part of a broader strategy to challenge the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing in the commercial aviation sector, aiming to establish COMAC as a significant player on the international stage. The C919, first flying in May 2017 and entering commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in May 2023, represents China's latest attempt to break into the global market with its own large passenger jet. Although it has been flying domestically, COMAC's ambitions extend beyond China's borders, with plans to certify the aircraft for international flights and expand its customer base.
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One critical step in this strategy involves obtaining airworthiness certifications from major aviation regulators outside of China. COMAC has been actively seeking certifications from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. These certifications are essential for the C919 to be legally and safely operated in foreign skies. In January 2025, there were indications that COMAC was targeting European certification by the end of the year, which would open up opportunities for flights to and within Europe. To further this goal, COMAC has been increasing its international presence. In 2024, it opened new offices in Singapore and Hong Kong to facilitate direct engagement with potential buyers and to manage after-sales services more effectively. This expansion is part of an aggressive marketing campaign aimed at Southeast Asia, where COMAC sees a ripe market due to the region's burgeoning air travel demand and less stringent geopolitical tensions compared to Western countries.
China has also been focusing on Southeast Asian countries for its initial foray into international markets. In 2025, Vietnam's government announced plans to remove regulatory hurdles that would allow COMAC aircraft to operate within its territory, signaling a potential first overseas customer for the C919. This move could set a precedent for other countries in the region to follow, given the C919's competitive pricing and the promise of favorable financing terms from Chinese banks. Moreover, COMAC is not only looking at the passenger market but also at cargo and regional aviation. The smaller ARJ21 has already been flying in Indonesia, operated by TransNusa, providing COMAC with valuable experience in international operations. The success of the ARJ21 in Southeast Asia is being leveraged to promote the C919, showcasing COMAC's capabilities and reliability.
The company has also been working on enhancing the C919's appeal through partnerships and by addressing concerns about its reliance on imported components. Approximately 40% of the C919's parts are from international suppliers, which has been a point of contention when touting the plane as "home-grown." However, COMAC is investing in indigenous technology development and has plans to reduce this dependency over time. China's push for international acceptance of the COMAC jets is also influenced by geopolitical strategies. By promoting Chinese-made aircraft, Beijing aims to assert technological independence and reduce reliance on Western technology, aligning with President Xi Jinping's vision of technological self-sufficiency. This endeavor also serves as a diplomatic tool, fostering closer ties with nations through aviation technology transfers and cooperative ventures. As COMAC ramps up production, targeting 50 C919 jets in 2025 and aiming for 150 per year by 2030, the focus is not just on quantity but on quality and international acceptance. Despite the challenges, including the need for global certifications and overcoming skepticism about its technology, China's strategy with COMAC is clear: to not only fly its jets overseas but to also fly high in global aviation markets.