- Sooner or later to lead Global Sky
By Mewati Sitaram
In a significant milestone for China’s aviation industry, the country’s first domestically produced passenger jet, the C919, embarked on its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. This event marks a crucial step in China’s longstanding efforts to compete with established Western rivals in the global aircraft market.
Beijing is hopeful that the C919 commercial jetliner will pose a challenge to foreign models such as the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320. The successful maiden flight of China’s homegrown passenger jetliner is not only a technological achievement but also a strategic move to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign technology amid deteriorating relations with the West. By developing its own aircraft, China aims to strengthen its self-reliance and assert its position in the global aviation industry.
The inaugural flight of the C919, operated by state-owned China Eastern Airlines, carried approximately 130 passengers. Departing from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, the aircraft landed in Beijing after a flight lasting less than two hours. The side of the plane proudly displayed the inscription, “The World’s First C919.”
The Commercial Aviation Corporation of China (COMAC), the manufacturer of the C919, is now striving to establish a presence in the single-aisle jet market, directly challenging industry giants Airbus and Boeing. Airbus’s A320 and Boeing’s B737 jets currently dominate the market for domestic and regional flights.
COMAC plans to produce 150 C919 planes annually over the next five years. This ambitious production target demonstrates China’s commitment to establishing the C919 as a competitive and viable option for airlines worldwide.
China’s entry into the passenger jet market signifies a significant shift in the global aircraft industry. As the world’s second-largest aviation market, China’s pursuit of self-sufficiency has the potential to disrupt the duopoly enjoyed by Airbus and Boeing. The C919’s success would not only provide airlines with an alternative choice but also foster healthy competition and innovation in the aviation sector. The future prospects for China’s domestic passenger jet industry appear promising.
One of the aviation experts from London on the condition of anonymity said “China is growing manifold in the aviation and technologies sector, the launch of C919 aircraft is a live example of it. This move by China is seen as a threat to American and European aviation companies as they are fearing loss of their business. Many airline companies are keeping close track of C919’s growth and technology and have appointed aviation engineers to know the details so they can order these aircraft into their fleet. The days are not far when the global sky will be flooded with China’s aircrafts”.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
