COMAC Navigates Trade Winds at Paris Airshow, Eyes Global Expansion

At the 55th International Paris Airshow in Le Bourget Airport, France, models of aircraft, including the C919, were on display at the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) pavilion.

COMAC, a Chinese company, announced deals with two Western suppliers for a planned twin-aisle plane at the Paris Airshow. This indicates its continued intention to utilize foreign parts in its aircraft, despite U.S. restrictions on component exports. The U.S. has recently restricted exports of certain aerospace parts, including engines used by COMAC in its C919 and C909 jets.

This reliance on foreign components highlights a key vulnerability in China's jet-building program. COMAC aims to compete globally with Airbus and Boeing, seeking international customers and increasing production. However, its jets primarily operate within China and lack certification from major foreign regulators.

In addition to the C919 and C909, COMAC is developing a C929 wide-body aircraft to compete with the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Crane Aerospace & Electronics will supply the C929's door signal system, a system also used on the C919. COMAC also signed a memorandum of understanding with Safran for the C929, covering systems such as braking control, tire pressure, oxygen, and icing detection. Air China will be the first customer for the C929, designed to accommodate 282 to 440 passengers.

COMAC is focusing on Southeast Asia to expand into foreign markets, having sold C909s to airlines in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos. The CEO of Capital A Group, the owner of AirAsia, is still in discussions with COMAC regarding a potential order for C919s. Certification of the C919 by Europe's aviation regulator is expected to take between three and six years.

China is investing heavily in developing its domestic aerospace industry, with the long-term goal of replacing foreign-made parts. The CJ-1000, a civil commercial jet engine, is under development to replace the LEAP-1C engine used in the C919. Footage of the CJ-1000 engine being tested on a Chinese military transport aircraft appeared on social media in early 2023.

COMAC showcased its expanding range of plane models at the Paris Airshow, including a business jet version of the C909. The larger long-haul C939 plane, which COMAC intends to develop, was not on display.

The COMAC display was one of 76 by Chinese companies, more than double the number in 2023. Smaller Chinese firms recognized the importance of showcasing their products to tap into the European market. One exhibitor, Depu CNC, aims to develop a global market and is focusing on Europe due to trade tariffs with the U.S. HanDao Tech, a manufacturer of engine systems and components, also made its Paris debut to build connections and find opportunities.