Chinese airlines may turn to Boeing as Comac faces delays with C919 deliveries

Comac attributes the production slowdown largely to external factors tied to U.S.-China relations. The C919 relies on LEAP-1C engines supplied by CFM International—a joint venture between GE Aerospace (U.S.) and Safran (France). Earlier this year, escalating trade tensions resulted in a temporary U.S. block on engine sales for the C919. Although this restriction has since been lifted according to FlightGlobal reports, uncertainty remains for Chinese carriers until a domestically produced alternative engine becomes available.

Despite efforts underway in China to develop a local engine option, airlines still need reliable sources of new planes as they expand their fleets. Because Airbus faces longer wait times for new A320s due to existing backlogs, Chinese carriers are reportedly considering Boeing as a more immediate solution.

Another factor affecting international expansion is that the C919 has not yet received certification from regulators outside China and thus cannot operate in markets such as Europe or North America. While there are some international orders from Brunei and Cambodia, broader adoption will depend on further certifications.

The C919 seats up to 192 passengers with an operational range of up to 5,555 kilometers—competitive figures compared with similar models from Airbus and Boeing—but industry analysts note that it remains a newcomer needing further validation in global markets.