COMAC C919 faces uncertainty amid potential policy changes under new administration

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COMAC C919 faces uncertainty amid potential policy changes under new administration

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By Sky Industry News

Dec 9, 2024

China's COMAC C919, a narrowbody airliner introduced in 2017 and entering service in 2023, faces potential challenges due to its reliance on US components. The aircraft is intended to compete with Boeing's 737 MAX and Airbus' A320neo. However, former President Trump included COMAC on a Department of Defense sanctions list during his final days in office.

The Trump administration's actions against Chinese firms were part of an effort to solidify a tough-on-China legacy. "The Trump administration on Thursday added nine Chinese firms to a blacklist of alleged Chinese military companies, including planemaker Comac and mobile phone maker Xiaomi," Reuters reported.

Currently, the blacklist requires US investors to divest from these companies but stops short of banning US suppliers from providing components for the C919. Yet, this could change if future policies further restrict such interactions. The production of the C919 might halt if US components become unavailable.

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The vulnerability lies in critical parts sourced from the United States. The engines used are CFM International LEAP engines—a collaboration between General Electric and France's Safran—while other systems come from Collins Aerospace and Honeywell. According to Airframer, "Chinese-Western joint ventures provide the majority of [the COMAC C919] systems."

China has made strides toward developing domestic alternatives like the CJ-1000A engine but faces delays until at least 2030 for operational readiness. Meanwhile, European cooperation remains uncertain; historical precedents show that European manufacturers have previously canceled contracts when US sanctions were imposed.

US sanctions have had significant impacts elsewhere too. For example, Russia’s civil aviation sector was heavily affected by similar restrictions following its actions in Ukraine.