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China is intensifying its efforts to introduce the C919 aircraft on international routes, with plans to enter Southeast Asian markets by 2026 and potentially secure European certification this year. Yang Yang, deputy general manager of Comac’s marketing center, emphasized the company's strategy for expanding abroad. "We hope to deploy more C919 aircraft domestically in China and thoroughly identify any potential issues before bringing them to Southeast Asia," he stated.
China's three major airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—are already operating the C919 on domestic routes. On January 1, China Eastern began using the C919 on its Shanghai-Hong Kong route, marking its first commercial flight outside mainland China. This inaugural flight received significant media attention as a milestone for COMAC's international goals.
COMAC aims to challenge Boeing and Airbus's dominance in China's aviation market. These companies have faced supply chain disruptions and delivery delays, providing opportunities for new entrants like COMAC. The company has delivered 16 C919 aircraft to China's central-government-owned airlines by the end of 2024. In December, COMAC launched a large-scale manufacturing initiative to enhance collaboration with suppliers and increase production capabilities.
