Boeing announced on Wednesday its intention to enter the competitive arena against China’s domestically produced passenger jet, the C919, showcased at the Singapore Airshow. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is promoting the single-aisle C919, marking its international debut in both flying and on-the-ground displays to attract global buyers.
Dave Schulte, Boeing’s commercial marketing managing director for the Asia-Pacific, highlighted the similarities between the C919 and Boeing’s and Airbus’s narrow-body offerings, emphasizing its potential as a contender against Airbus’s A320 and Boeing’s 737 MAX. Speaking at the airshow, Schulte stated, “It is an airplane that will continue to compete, that… we will start to compete against.”
However, he emphasized that each manufacturer must demonstrate the value of their products to airlines, stating, “It will be up to each of the manufacturers to prove the value to the airlines, prove the products, the strength of the product.” Schulte acknowledged that COMAC might face challenges to compete effectively in the global market.
Boeing’s forecast for Southeast Asia’s aviation market, predicting a need for 4,225 new airplanes by 2042, includes the C919. Schulte anticipates that the demand will be driven by the region’s popular low-cost carriers, catering to a population of over 650 million people.
The C919 has been operational in China since May, making its international debut in Hong Kong in December. Despite its presence in commercial flights within China, the aircraft is yet to secure buyers outside the country, marking a hurdle that COMAC aims to overcome in its pursuit of global competitiveness.
