SHANGHAI- Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), China’s leading aircraft manufacturer, has announced ambitious plans to increase C919 production capacity to 75 aircraft annually, up from the previously stated target of 50 jets announced in January.
The Chinese aerospace manufacturer further outlined its long-term strategy at a recent supplier conference in Xi’an (XIY), revealing intentions to reach an annual production capacity of 200 C919 aircraft by 2029, significantly escalating its challenge to the Boeing-Airbus duopoly.
Photo: By N509FZ – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127030905COMAC C919 Production Capacity
Comac’s recent announcements at a supplier conference in Xian (XIY) reveal a detailed roadmap for scaling up its C919 production.
By 2029, the company intends to reach an annual output of 200 C919 jets, significantly bolstering its position against global competitors.
This ambitious plan includes increasing production from 50 jets this year to 100 next year, ultimately reaching 150 by 2028.
Comac has revised its initial 2024 production target from 50 to 75 aircraft, reflecting an accelerated manufacturing pace. The latest production timeline indicates a steady ramp-up:
- 2025: Production target set at 100 aircraft.
- 2029: Projected annual capacity of 200 jets.
The C919, which entered commercial service in May 2023, is China’s first domestically produced narrowbody jet. It has already secured hundreds of orders, including from major airlines such as Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), and China Southern Airlines (CZ).
These carriers have begun integrating the C919 into their fleets, with utilization rates surging by 40% during the Lunar New Year holiday compared to the previous year.
To support this expansion, Comac has announced a 70% increase in annual procurement costs for the C919 program, bringing this year’s figure to approximately 34 billion yuan ($4.7 billion).
The company’s president, Shen Bo, emphasized that the program has entered a phase of “large-scale industrialization,” signaling a pivotal moment in China’s push for aviation self-sufficiency.
Photo: COMACGrowth Strategy and Future Development
Comac, established in 2008, plays a critical role in China’s aviation strategy. The C919 entered commercial service in May 2023, with 16 deliveries completed by year-end.
The aircraft directly competes with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus, which dominate the global single-aisle jet market.
China’s three major airlines—Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), and China Southern Airlines (CZ)—have placed substantial orders for Comac aircraft.
During the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, C919 utilization rates rose 40% year-over-year, signaling strong market acceptance.
Beyond the C919, Comac is developing widebody aircraft, including the C929 and C939, designed to compete with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 747.
These jets aim to provide China with a domestic alternative for long-haul flights, further reducing reliance on Western aerospace manufacturers.
While primarily focused on domestic orders, Comac has garnered international interest. In late 2023, Cathay Pacific (CX) CEO Ronald Lam led a team to assess Comac’s progress.
The airline is exploring a potential stretched variant of the C919 for its regional operations and evaluating the C929’s suitability for mid-size widebody routes.
Photo: By S5A-0043 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145797631Bottom Line
Comac’s rapid increase in production marks a significant shift in the global aviation landscape. With a robust order pipeline, increasing aircraft deliveries, and ambitious expansion plans, the company is poised to challenge Boeing and Airbus more aggressively in the coming years.
The success of the C919 and future models like the C929 will be crucial in establishing China as a competitive force in commercial aviation.
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