China steps up competition with first international flight of homegrown aircraft

China's domestically produced passenger jet, the C919, made its debut outside the mainland on Wednesday in Hong Kong. The flight is a step for China towards competing with international aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. 

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a sign which reads "1st C919 inaugural flight" is seen in front of the Chinese made passenger aircraft prepared for its first commercial flight from Shanghai on Sunday, May 28, 2023. China's first domestically made passenger jet flew its maiden commercial flight on Sunday, as China looks to compete with companies such as Boeing and Airbus in the global aircraft market.(Ding Ting/Xinhua via AP) AP - Ding Ting

The C919, which made its maiden commercial flight in May, is key to Beijing's decades-long goal to compete with European and US air rivals and reduce China's reliance on foreign technology.

Chinese authorities hope the sleek, narrow-body aircraft, built by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC,) will challenge foreign models like the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320.

Now on display at Hong Kong International Airport, the C919 will fly over the city's Victoria Harbour on Saturday.

Hong Kong leader John Lee on Wednesday hailed the development of the C919 and the ARJ21, a smaller, earlier model made by COMAC, as "important milestones" in China's aviation sector.

The first visit of two Chinese mainland-made aircraft C919 and ARJ21 to the #HKSAR reflects the nation's great importance to the city's role as an aviation hub, says Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu at a welcome ceremony on Wednesday. (Andy Chong/ China Daily)https://t.co/E91JQB3j1F pic.twitter.com/0257kpH0wn

— China Daily Hong Kong (@CDHKedition) December 13, 2023

"China's successful development of a large passenger jet symbolises its leading position in the transportation manufacturing industry," Lee said at a ceremony at the airport.

The C919 received official certification to fly last year after more than a decade in development. 

China has invested heavily in the homegrown jetliner as it aims to become self-sufficient in key technologies, although many of the C919's parts are sourced from overseas.

As of this week, the aircraft has received 1061 orders from more than 30 clients, officials said in a statement. It has yet to secure any international buyers.

Growing demand

Two C919 jets operating between Chinese cities Shanghai and Chengdu have transported more than 60,000 passengers, officials said.

The C919 has a 158 to 192 seat capacity and a maximum range of 5555 kilometres, they added.

Asia and China are targets for European manufacturer Airbus and its American rival Boeing. Both seek to capitalise on middle class demand for air travel in the country. 

• First Chinese-built commercial jet targets Airbus-Boeing monopoly

Early 2023, Airbus announced plans to double production capacity in China. They also signed a deal to build a second final assembly line for the A320 in Tianjin.

According to Tobias Rueckerl, President of the aviation consultancyAdavco, the C919 "faces stiff competition from the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families, which have established themselves as reliable and efficient workhorses for airlines around the world.”

"The C919 may have an edge over its rivals in terms of acquisition price and political support from its home market, but it falls short in terms of capacity, range, fuel efficiency, and operating costs," he says. 

Comac has not officially published a price for the C919. A report published byPilotpassion, an aviation industry monitor portal, says estimates suggest the aircraft "may cost between $90-100 million. This price point is fairly competitive when taking into account the Airbus A320neo being listed at $111 million and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 at $121 million."

(With newsagencies)