Boeing’s Setbacks Open the Skies for China’s C919 to Take Off

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Passengers are boarding a China Eastern Airlines’ C919 plane departing Shanghai on Jan. 9, 2024.

Boeing, once the undisputed leader in global aviation, is grappling with a series of setbacks that could help China’s burgeoning aircraft industry.

As the American aerospace giant navigates production delays, quality control issues and regulatory scrutiny, China’s own commercial jet, the C919, could seize this opportunity to take off.

In recent years, Boeing has faced problems, most notably the prolonged grounding of its 737 MAX fleet after two crashes in 2018 and 2019 in which 346 people died.

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Boeing is facing significant setbacks like production delays and regulatory issues, impacting its reputation and deliveries.
China's C919 jet, developed by Comac, could capitalize on Boeing's struggles, with major Chinese airlines placing over 300 orders.
Despite challenges, Comac aims to increase C919 production to 150 units yearly by 2028 but needs international certification and a robust support network to compete globally.

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Who’s Who

Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (Comac): Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (Comac) is a Chinese company developing the C919, an ambitious homegrown commercial jet intended to compete with Boeing and Airbus. Despite having faced delays and technical hurdles, the C919 has garnered significant interest from Chinese airlines. However, Comac still relies heavily on core components from Europe and the U.S., and it aims to boost production to 150 units annually by 2028. Securing international certification remains a critical challenge.

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.: China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. is one of China's largest airlines, which has placed orders for over 300 C919 jets, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac). This move reflects growing interest in homegrown aircraft amidst Boeing's production issues. The airline aims to leverage the competitive pricing and availability of the C919 to expand and modernize its fleet.

Air China Ltd.: Air China Ltd. is one of China's three largest airlines and has placed orders for more than 300 C919 aircraft, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (Comac). The airline is considering the C919 as an alternative amidst Boeing's production issues and delivery delays.

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.: China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. has placed orders for the C919, China's homegrown commercial jet. This is part of a broader trend among Chinese airlines seeking alternatives to Boeing amidst its production delays and quality control issues. China Southern Airlines is one of the three largest Chinese airlines that have collectively ordered over 300 C919s, indicating a significant interest in diversifying their aircraft fleets.

Tibet Airlines: Tibet Airlines has placed orders for the C919, China's homegrown commercial jet developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (Comac). This move indicates that Tibet Airlines, along with other Chinese carriers, is looking for alternatives to Boeing amidst the American aerospace giant’s ongoing production delays and quality control issues.

Urumqi Air: Urumqi Air is one of the smaller carriers in China that has placed orders for the C919 aircraft developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (Comac). The airline's decision aligns with a broader trend among Chinese carriers to seek alternatives to Boeing amid its production issues and delays.

Suparna Airlines: Suparna Airlines is among the smaller carriers in China that have placed orders for the C919 jet. The airline is considering replacing its current all-Boeing fleet with an all-C919 fleet, reflecting a significant interest in Comac’s new commercial jet amidst Boeing’s ongoing production and quality control issues.

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What Happened When

2018：: First crash of the Boeing 737 MAX resulting in grounding of the fleet.

2019：: Second crash of the Boeing 737 MAX, contributing to the prolonged grounding of the fleet.

January 2024：: Near-catastrophe involving an Alaska Airline Boeing 737 Max 9 when the fuselage door plug blew off in midair.

As of the end of April 2024：: The three largest Chinese airlines — China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd., Air China Ltd. and China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., placed orders for more than 300 C919s.

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