SINGAPORE – The Comac C919, a new airliner produced by China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation, is making waves as a potential challenger to the dominance of Airbus and Boeing in the passenger jet market. However, Christian Scherer, the CEO of Airbus’s aircraft commercial business, remains unfazed by the competition.
Scherer expressed his lack of concern during a media roundtable at the Singapore Airshow, noting that the C919 does not present a significant threat to the market. He humorously remarked that the C919 “looks a bit like an Airbus narrow body,” emphasizing that it is not substantially different from existing offerings by Airbus and Boeing.
Despite his nonchalant attitude, Scherer acknowledged the C919 as a legitimate effort by China, suggesting that healthy competition in the industry is welcomed. He asserted that the market is large enough to accommodate multiple players and that Airbus does not intend to ignore or dismiss the new competition from Comac.
The Comac C919 is designed to compete directly with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’s A320, with certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in September 2022 and entry into commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in May of the following year. Furthermore, it uses the same engine as Airbus’s A320neo, powered by CFM International LEAP engines.
Despite being certified exclusively by Chinese authorities, industry experts believe that the C919 could potentially disrupt the longstanding dominance of Boeing and Airbus in the commercial aviation market. This sentiment is particularly amplified by ongoing issues at Boeing, such as those related to the 737 Max, which are seen as providing an early opportunity for Comac to gain ground.
During the air show, Comac also announced a significant deal with China’s Tibet Airlines, finalizing an order for 40 C919 and 10 ARJ21 jets. The ARJ21 is a short to medium-range turbofan plane used for regional flights, further expanding Comac’s reach and influence in the commercial aviation sector.
The emergence of the C919 as a viable competitor in the industry serves to not only challenge the status quo but also diversify options for airlines and passengers worldwide. As the market continues to evolve, the competition between established players and emerging challengers like Comac promises to bring about innovation and enhanced quality across the aviation industry.