Singapore Airshow: China’s home-grown C919 passenger jet lands 40 orders on international debut

Home-grown C919 narrowbody passenger jet conducted a flyover of Changi Exhibition Centre on Tuesday as it made its debut at an international air show in Singapore
Tibet Airlines signed a deal for 40 C919 and 10 ARJ21 regional jets, which are both manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China

China’s C919 passenger plane

Amanda Leein Singapore

Published: 5:30pm, 20 Feb 2024

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China for the first time flew the home-grown C919 narrowbody passenger jet in an international aviation event on Tuesday, securing more orders for it and the ARJ21 regional jet on the opening day of the Singapore Airshow.

The C919 conducted a flyover of Changi Exhibition Centre, marking its maiden official appearance during the largest aviation event in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) said the international debut of the C919 alongside the ARJ21 highlighted the “ongoing progress in the development of China’s commercial aircraft”, the state-owned manufacturer said on Tuesday.

Comac also announced that it had signed a deal with Tibet Airlines for 40 C919 and 10 ARJ21.

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China chairman He Dongfeng witnesses a signing ceremony with Tibet Airlines during the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre. Photo: Reuters

The jets are designed to be suitable for high-altitude plateaus, with Tibet Airlines the first customer for the new variant being developed by the Shanghai-based state-owned manufacturer.

Comac said it would also conduct “marketing campaigns to strengthen communications with customers and partners” during the air show, adding that it is committed to better serving Southeast Asian customers, which are seen as a key market for the C919 and ARJ21.

The C919 has been designed to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320.

Two C919 and three ARJ21 will remain on static display during the six-day event, while they are also expected to conduct flight performances.

The Henan Civil Aviation Development Investment Group, another Chinese state-owned company, also agreed to purchase six ARJ21 on Tuesday, including fire fighting, medical service and emergency jet versions, Comac added.

The international debut of the C919 came after the Civil Aviation Administration of China said last month that it would promote the certification of the narrowbody passenger jet in Europe.

There are also growing questions over Boeing’s share of the narrowbody passenger jet market following safety issues with its 737 Max jets.

The US manufacturer is listed as an exhibitor at the air show, but it has not showcased any of its commercial passenger jets in Singapore.

Airbus’ widebody passenger jet, the A350, was part of the line-up of commercial aircraft, helicopters and fighter jets that took part in a flying display on Tuesday.

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A look inside China’s home-grown civilian passenger jets, the ARJ21 and C919

The C919 has been in commercial service since May after 15 years of development, with Comac set to increase production.

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines received its fourth C919 in January, while Comac has said that it has received over 1,000 orders for the narrowbody passenger jet, with the majority from Chinese airlines.

China has invested heavily in commercial jet manufacturing in a bid to increase self-reliance to replace imports amid rising competition with the US in advanced technology.

Many of the key parts used on the C919, including its engine, are produced by foreign companies and joint ventures.

The narrowbody passenger jet made its first appearance outside mainland China in December after performing a flight demonstration in Hong Kong. It was also exhibited along with the ARJ21 at the city’s international airport.