Dubai, November 17 - China’s COMAC C919, the country’s first home-grown narrow-body airliner, touched down at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport this week for its highest-profile international appearance yet, kicking off a series of demonstration flights aimed squarely at Gulf carriers. The white-and-blue aircraft, registered B-919A and operated by China Eastern Airlines, performed a flawless low pass over the runway before landing to applause from invited guests, marking the first time the C919 has flown outside Asia. The five-day visit coincides with the run-up to the Dubai Airshow 2025 and is widely seen as Beijing’s most aggressive push to secure orders from cash-rich Middle Eastern airlines.
Under bright desert skies, the C919 completed two revenue-style demonstration flights carrying regional aviation executives, media, and potential customers. Pilots showcased the jet’s handling characteristics, cabin comfort, and LEAP-1C engines supplied by CFM International, a deliberate reminder that roughly 40 percent of the aircraft’s systems come from Western suppliers, addressing lingering concerns over supply-chain reliability. COMAC officials emphasized that the C919’s operating costs are 10-15 percent lower than comparable A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a compelling figure for Gulf operators facing razor-thin margins on short-haul routes to India, Pakistan, and East Africa.
The timing is deliberate. With Airbus and Boeing order backlogs stretching to 2030 and beyond, airlines such as flydubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, and even larger players like Qatar Airways and Etihad are actively hunting for near-term delivery slots. COMAC claims it can deliver C919s as early as 2026 and has already secured over 1,200 firm orders and intentions, almost entirely from Chinese lessors and airlines. Breaking into the Gulf would give the program its first non-domestic customers and crucial international validation at a time when geopolitical tensions make some carriers wary of over-dependence on Western manufacturers.
Whether the Dubai charm offensive translates into signed contracts remains uncertain. Price, after-sales support, and long-term resale value will weigh heavily against the C919’s newcomer status. Yet with fuel prices volatile and delivery delays plaguing its rivals, China’s C919 has undeniably captured attention in the Emirati sun, putting the world on notice that a third viable player has entered the fiercely contested narrow-body market.
