China's C919 Jet Faces Significant Delivery Delays Amid Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Geopolitical Tensions

Introduction to China's C919 Program

China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) launched the C919 narrow-body passenger jet program in 2008 with the ambitious goal of challenging the global duopoly of Boeing and Airbus. The aircraft made its maiden flight on May 5, 2017, and received its Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) type certificate on September 29, 2022. The first production airframe was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on December 9, 2022, and entered commercial passenger service on May 28, 2023.

However, the program is now reportedly facing significant turbulence, with delivery targets likely to be missed and its supply chain proving vulnerable due to ongoing US-China trade tensions and a heavy reliance on Western components.

C919 Delivery Targets Significantly Missed

Recent reports indicate that COMAC is falling considerably behind its projected delivery schedules for the C919. The manufacturer had initially aimed to deliver 75 C919s in 2025, a target that has since been drastically cut to just 25 units for the year.

This revised figure represents a two-thirds reduction from the earlier ambitious goal. As of September 2025, only five C919s had been delivered to China's three major airlines—China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines—out of an expected 32 for the year. In 2024, COMAC delivered 13 C919s to Chinese carriers, with only seven delivered as of October 2025, despite plans to ramp up production. Aviation consultancy IBA has offered a more conservative forecast, predicting approximately 18 C919 deliveries in 2025, 25 in 2026, and 45 in 2027.

Heavy Reliance on Western Components

Despite being touted as a domestically developed aircraft, the C919 remains heavily dependent on foreign technology and components for its critical systems. The aircraft's engines, for instance, are the CFM International LEAP-1C turbofans, produced by a joint venture between GE Aviation (United States) and Safran Aircraft Engines (France).

Beyond engines, numerous other essential components are sourced from Western suppliers:

• Avionics: Supplied by companies such as GE Aerospace (through its AVIAGE SYSTEMS joint venture), Collins Aerospace, and Honeywell Aerospace.
• Flight Controls: Provided by Honeywell.
• Cabin Systems: From Collins Aerospace.
• Wheels and Brakes: Supplied by Honeywell.
• Hydraulics, Actuators, and Fuel Systems: Provided by Parker.
• Landing Gear and Air Management: From Liebherr.

This extensive reliance on international suppliers, particularly from the U.S. and Europe, creates significant vulnerabilities in the C919's production chain.

Impact of US-China Trade Tensions

Ongoing trade tensions and export controls between the United States and China have directly impacted the C919 program's supply chain. A notable instance occurred in May 2025 when the U.S. temporarily suspended export licenses for the CFM LEAP-1C engines, though these restrictions were later lifted in July 2025. This event underscored the program's susceptibility to geopolitical shifts.

The U.S. government has also designated certain COMAC subsidiaries as 'military end users,' necessitating export licenses for specific items and raising concerns about potential technology transfer and military applications of civil aviation products. Max J. Zenglein, Asia-Pacific senior economist at The Conference Board, noted that 'COMAC faces significant risk from the volatile policy environment, with its supply chains vulnerable to export restrictions and tit-for-tat measures between the U.S. and China.' The lack of certification from major Western aviation regulators further limits the C919's appeal to international carriers.

Outlook and Challenges Ahead

While China is actively pursuing self-reliance, including the development of a domestic alternative engine, the ACAE CJ-1000A turbofan, this engine is still in the testing phase and is not expected to enter serial production before 2030. This timeline means the C919 will continue to depend on foreign components for the foreseeable future.

Despite these challenges, COMAC has secured over 1,000 orders, predominantly from Chinese airlines. However, no foreign customers have formally placed orders for the C919, highlighting the hurdles in gaining international market acceptance. The C919's journey to becoming a true global competitor remains a long and complex one, fraught with technical, logistical, and geopolitical obstacles.