The C919, China’s challenger to the A320 and B737 manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), made its debut outside Chinese territory with a fly-by at the Singapore Airshow.
China has heavily invested in developing the C919 as part of its efforts to rival established aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body passenger aircraft market.
The C919, viewed as a symbol of China’s “Made in China” strategy to diminish reliance on foreign manufacturers, is designed to carry just under 200 passengers and is China’s first large domestically produced passenger jet.
The aircraft, operational within mainland China with China Eastern Airlines, marks a significant milestone for China’s aviation industry and its goal to challenge established aerospace giants.
At the airshow, Chinese carrier Tibet Airlines placed an order for 40 C919 jets alongside 10 ARJ21 regional jets, demonstrating China’s commitment to bolstering its presence in the commercial aviation market, particularly amidst issues faced by competitors like Boeing.
