During the Singapore Airshow, China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC took the spotlight, surpassing industry giants Airbus (AIR.PA) and Boeing (BA.N). At the event, COMAC showcased its independently developed C919 and ARJ21 jets, signaling its ambition to obtain international certifications and secure orders from foreign markets. These aircraft, positioned to rival the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 narrowbody passenger jets, made their debut outside China this year, attracting considerable attention from aviation and business professionals throughout Asia.
The C919, which made its commercial service debut with China Eastern Airlines this month, is a reinterpretation of the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families with a new design that promises to be more fuel-efficient, quieter, and easier on the environment. It has already secured more than 600 orders and letters of intent, and COMAC expects it to have an order book in the thousands by 2040.
Similarly, the ARJ21, which debuted in 2016 with Chengdu Airlines, is a smaller twin-engine regional plane that offers airlines versatility and a range of options to meet market demand. It was on display in Singapore for the first time and has already garnered 30 orders, including from non-Chinese entities GE Capital Aviation Services and AerCap, as well as the Indonesian airline Lion Air. The jet can be adapted for cargo, fire fighting, and medical service use.
But Boeing has decided not to showcase its 737 MAX planes at this year’s show, as it continues to deal with a series of crises related to the troubled jet. In January, a fuselage panel blew off mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines flight, leading to the FAA temporarily grounding more than 170 of the model’s planes. Boeing is also trying to solve a software problem that could suddenly cause the jets to lose altitude control.
With both companies facing issues, COMAC is trying to seize the moment by offering a reliable new choice. “A reliable new choice for short to medium-haul operations,” proclaimed an advertisement on its large booth in the center of the show’s event hall. It featured scaled models of the C919 and ARJ21 and demonstration flights.
While many industry observers believe COMAC has a good chance of breaking into the global market, the company faces several challenges before fully realizing its ambitions. It must secure overseas orders and international certifications and restructure its company to manage risk.
With Airbus regaining momentum and its rival Boeing facing headwinds, both companies must continue investing in research and development. This will allow them to keep advancing their technological prowess and stay competitive in the fast-growing international market. Ultimately, the two will have to work together to maintain the health of the global aviation industry. That is why their presence at the Singapore Airshow this week is crucial. The show runs until Feb 25. Airbus is showcasing its new long-range A350-1000 plane, while Boeing has chosen to lay low as it works on alternatives for airlines’ long-haul needs.
