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China's C919 has obtained airworthiness certificates from many countries and is challenging the market monopoly of Boeing and Airbus
Written by:Sun Shengran
publishing:2025-03-25 13:30 renew:2025-03-25 13:30
According to domestic media reports, the domestically-produced large aircraft C919 is challenging the monopoly of Boeing and Airbus in the global aviation market. Since completing its first commercial passenger mission in May 2023, the C919 has carried more than 1 million passengers in total and has now obtained airworthiness certificates from many countries.
China Eastern Airlines' first C919 in the world (registration number B-919A). (Weibo @China Eastern Airlines)
The report pointed out that the C919 is a medium-range jet airliner independently developed by China and manufactured in full compliance with international airworthiness standards. Compared with Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, C919 performs better in safety, comfort and environmental protection. Currently, the total number of orders for C919 has exceeded thousands, but production has not yet increased. As of nearly two years of commercial operation, only 18 aircraft have been delivered. One reason for the low output is lack of production experience, and another reason is supply chain issues. About 40% of the C919's parts are imported from more than 200 suppliers around the world, including key components such as engines, avionics systems and flight control systems.
To solve these problems, China is gradually replacing imported parts with domestic parts. For example, the C919 has begun to replace the domestically produced Yangtze-1000A engine. It is expected that by 2027, the annual production of C919 will reach 150 aircraft, and the localization rate will exceed 80% by 2028. By then, C919 will be able to compete with Boeing and Airbus.
The picture shows the C919 conducting a flight demonstration on December 16, 2024, soaring twice over Victoria Harbour at altitudes of 1,500 feet and 1,000 feet respectively. Looking out from the sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, the C919 seems to be integrated into the skyscrapers on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. (Photo by Xia Jialang)
In addition, the C919 not only received orders from domestic airlines, but also attracted purchases from airlines in Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Brazil and other countries. Even an airline under the General Motors Group of the United States purchased 20 C919s.
Although the C919 lacks European and American airworthiness certificates and cannot fly in European and American countries, many countries in Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and other regions have recognized China's airworthiness certification or issued their own airworthiness certificates for the C919. This shows that even without European and American airworthiness certificates, the C919 can carry out commercial operations in other countries. With the development of subsequent models C929 and C939, COMAC will further break the market monopoly of Boeing and Airbus.





