China’s home-grown C919 could break Airbus, Boeing duopoly with ‘brave step into foreign markets’

[beijingwalker]

China’s home-grown C919 could break Airbus, Boeing duopoly with ‘brave step into foreign markets’​

• China’s C919 home-grown narrow-body passenger jet was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December after more than 14 years of development
• It was built to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, and a Mercator Institute for China Studies report suggests its impact could spread beyond its home market

Published: 10:00pm, 18 Jan, 2023

China has strong ambition in the commercial aviation market and the central government has laid out plans for the C919 to gain 10 per cent domestic market share by 2025. Photo: AFP

China’s home-grown narrow-body passenger jet could break the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus in its home market and beyond despite its reliance of foreign parts, according to a new report by a Berlin-based think tank.

The Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics) argued that the size of China’s aviation market, strong industrial policy and a sector dominated by state-owned companies gives the C919 an edge to advance the country’s “strategic objectives” in aviation.

The C919, built by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December after more than 14 years of development.

“The C919’s market entry is a symbol of China’s technological rise and a source of national pride,” said Merics on Tuesday.

“Production glitches or safety issues aside, Comac’s domestic market share looks set to climb steadily in a huge and increasingly protected home market, with the company at some point reaching the scale to brave the step into foreign markets and global competition.”

China has strong ambition in the commercial aviation market and the central government has laid out plans for the C919 to gain 10 per cent domestic market share by 2025.

Boeing’s China business, meanwhile, has been entangled in the souring relations between Beijing and Washington. Its 737 MAX had been grounded in China for more than four years following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, only just returning to service last week.

Merics said that narrow-body jets are the “bread-and-butter models” for manufacturers, accounting for around 60 per cent of all planes produced.

However, Boeing’s 737 family has been trailing for new orders in China compared to the C919, which has received orders mostly from China’s state-owned airlines and financial institutions.

By late 2022, Comac had received 305 orders for the C919 in China, while Boeing had only received 116 for its 737 series, according to Merics.

Airbus led the pack with 565 orders of its A320 in China, suggesting the duopoly is becoming a triopoly to the detriment of Boeing, Merics said.

Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers.

Comac has been working to replace some of the foreign parts used for the C919, including looking to find an alternative for the LEAP engine made by CFM International, a joint venture between American firm GE Aviation and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines.

“Even if the C919 is less efficient or technologically advanced than the competition, the political aims of China’s state-owned airlines will likely outweigh such operational deficiencies. In an already highly politicised industry, this will further complicate doing business for Boeing and Airbus,” Merics added.

But because China’s airlines are accustomed to operating Western passenger jets, the move to include C919 in their fleet is going to be gradual, Merics added.

China’s big three state-owned airlines – China Southern, Air China, China Eastern – have placed a combined 294 orders for Airbus’ A320 family and Boeing’s 737, but only 20 each for the C919.

Beijing is also likely to leverage its aviation market and use deals as “useful political sweeteners” over its trade partners, demonstrated by the US$17 billion agreement for 140 Airbus aircraft signed during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Beijing in November, Merics said.

Western politicians and executives should be aware of the ambition of China’s political leadership for Comac, the think tank added.

“If the C919 performs as promised in China over the next few years, the next area of competition will be in third markets outside of China, Europe and the US,” Merics said.

“Only if the C919 can gain this international foothold will it really become a success. The risks are high, but given China’s industrial-policy successes in other areas, Airbus and Boeing better buckle up.”

‘Airbus, Boeing better buckle up’: China’s home-grown C919 could break duopoly

China’s C919 home-grown narrow-body passenger jet was built to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, and a Mercator Institute for China Studies report suggests its impact could spread beyond its home market.

www.scmp.com

 

[beijingwalker]

Now Boeing is already trailing behind C 919 in orders in the Chinese market.

 

[casual]

need to work on replacing foreign parts and on increasing production.

 

[TexasJohn]

China’s home-grown C919 could break Airbus, Boeing duopoly with ‘brave step into foreign markets’​

• China’s C919 home-grown narrow-body passenger jet was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December after more than 14 years of development
• It was built to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, and a Mercator Institute for China Studies report suggests its impact could spread beyond its home market

Published: 10:00pm, 18 Jan, 2023

China has strong ambition in the commercial aviation market and the central government has laid out plans for the C919 to gain 10 per cent domestic market share by 2025. Photo: AFP

China’s home-grown narrow-body passenger jet could break the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus in its home market and beyond despite its reliance of foreign parts, according to a new report by a Berlin-based think tank.

The Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics) argued that the size of China’s aviation market, strong industrial policy and a sector dominated by state-owned companies gives the C919 an edge to advance the country’s “strategic objectives” in aviation.

The C919, built by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in December after more than 14 years of development.

“The C919’s market entry is a symbol of China’s technological rise and a source of national pride,” said Merics on Tuesday.

“Production glitches or safety issues aside, Comac’s domestic market share looks set to climb steadily in a huge and increasingly protected home market, with the company at some point reaching the scale to brave the step into foreign markets and global competition.”

China has strong ambition in the commercial aviation market and the central government has laid out plans for the C919 to gain 10 per cent domestic market share by 2025.

Boeing’s China business, meanwhile, has been entangled in the souring relations between Beijing and Washington. Its 737 MAX had been grounded in China for more than four years following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, only just returning to service last week.

Merics said that narrow-body jets are the “bread-and-butter models” for manufacturers, accounting for around 60 per cent of all planes produced.

However, Boeing’s 737 family has been trailing for new orders in China compared to the C919, which has received orders mostly from China’s state-owned airlines and financial institutions.

By late 2022, Comac had received 305 orders for the C919 in China, while Boeing had only received 116 for its 737 series, according to Merics.

Airbus led the pack with 565 orders of its A320 in China, suggesting the duopoly is becoming a triopoly to the detriment of Boeing, Merics said.

Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers.

Comac has been working to replace some of the foreign parts used for the C919, including looking to find an alternative for the LEAP engine made by CFM International, a joint venture between American firm GE Aviation and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines.

“Even if the C919 is less efficient or technologically advanced than the competition, the political aims of China’s state-owned airlines will likely outweigh such operational deficiencies. In an already highly politicised industry, this will further complicate doing business for Boeing and Airbus,” Merics added.

But because China’s airlines are accustomed to operating Western passenger jets, the move to include C919 in their fleet is going to be gradual, Merics added.

China’s big three state-owned airlines – China Southern, Air China, China Eastern – have placed a combined 294 orders for Airbus’ A320 family and Boeing’s 737, but only 20 each for the C919.

Beijing is also likely to leverage its aviation market and use deals as “useful political sweeteners” over its trade partners, demonstrated by the US$17 billion agreement for 140 Airbus aircraft signed during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Beijing in November, Merics said.

Western politicians and executives should be aware of the ambition of China’s political leadership for Comac, the think tank added.

“If the C919 performs as promised in China over the next few years, the next area of competition will be in third markets outside of China, Europe and the US,” Merics said.

“Only if the C919 can gain this international foothold will it really become a success. The risks are high, but given China’s industrial-policy successes in other areas, Airbus and Boeing better buckle up.”

‘Airbus, Boeing better buckle up’: China’s home-grown C919 could break duopoly

China’s C919 home-grown narrow-body passenger jet was built to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, and a Mercator Institute for China Studies report suggests its impact could spread beyond its home market.

www.scmp.com

You said it all right there:
"Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers."

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

You said it all right there:
"Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers."

American parts are replaced piece by piece by Chinese parts.

 

[airmarshal]

need to work on replacing foreign parts and on increasing production.

Yes, so that China is not crippled by sanctions.

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

You said it all right there:
"Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers."

They may be Western brand but I'm pretty sure they are all made in China. China has comprehensive manufacturing factories. Western countries don't have.

 

[cloud4000]

Now Boeing is already trailing behind C 919 in orders in the Chinese market.

Boeing is trailing behind C919 in the Chinese market as much as the C919 is trailing behind Boeing (and Airbus) in the foreign market.

 

[K_Bin_W]

Boeing is trailing behind C919 in the Chinese market as much as the C919 is trailing behind Boeing (and Airbus) in the foreign market.

Charity starts at home...

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

You said it all right there:
"Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers."

Haier, Hisense can easily make components that replace American components in C919.

Yes, so that China is not crippled by sanctions.

Haier, Hisense can easily make components that replace American components in C919. Russia already replaced American components in MC-21 with domestic components.

 

[beijingwalker]

You said it all right there:
"Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers."

China makes Y-20 domestically, based on the reports, almost all parts of C-919 can be replaced by Chinese domestic parts, the reason China wants to involve foreign companies is because China wants them to help China to get airworthiness certificate in the west faster and they can help China to break into their market after they become profitable suppliers. Once China gets what she wants, foreign suppliers will be replaced soon.

 

[FairAndUnbiased]

You said it all right there:
"Despite being billed as a home-grown passenger jet, C919’s engine, avionics, control systems, communications and landing gear are made by US and European manufacturers."

China already has a large transport plane that's domestic: the Y-20. This is just to help with foreign airworthiness certification since these suppliers have a good relationship with the regulators.

Its not like the in flight entertainment system (Thales) or the lights (UTC) is more important or critical than the wingbox (COMAC in house).

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

China makes Y-20 domestically, based on the reports, almost all parts of C-919 can be replaced by Chinese domestic parts, the reason China wants to involve foreign companies is because China wants them to help China to get airworthiness certificate in the west faster and they can help China to break into their market after they become profitable suppliers. Once China gets what she wants, foreign suppliers will be replaced soon.

America, Japan, EU, UK will never buy any airliner from China anyway. They are China haters. Their certification is irrelevant for C919.

 

[beijingwalker]

China Plans to End the Duopoly of Boeing and Airbus: Homemade C919 Jetliner all set to Fly This Spring​

By Joane
Jan 24, 2023

China’s indigenous C919 jetliner is set to take its first passenger flight in the Spring of 2023. The C919 is a part of commercial passenger aircraft made by COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corp of China). Once in operation, the aircraft will put China on the global aviation map and help Beijing to end the duopoly of US-based Boeing and France-based Airbus.

Airbus SE is the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturer. Though the company also makes military aircraft and helicopters, its major business comes from commercial passenger airlines. In 1972, Airbus launched the A300, the first-ever aircraft to have a digital fly-by-wire interface as well as dual engines and aisles. It then launched the upgraded A320 aircraft, which was designed with similar features and is considered the most popular and safest passenger aircraft in the world.

Boeing is famous in the aviation industry. The American corporation not only makes passenger aircraft but also manufactures weapon systems, satellites, and rockets. Boeing 747, 737, and Dreamliner models are extremely popular across the globe. However, Boeing faced serious backlash for the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which led to a worldwide grounding of Boeing 737 Max from March 2019 to December 2022. Some countries including China lifted the ban just this month.

China ranks second in the world, after US, for air passenger traffic and has the fastest-growing air passenger market. Thus, Beijing is highly motivated to make indigenous aircraft so that it can leverage the economic advantage of the massive market and reduce the dependency on international players like Airbus and Boeing. Moreover, complete dependence on foreign firms also increases the risk to national security and other geopolitical issues. Therefore, China wishes to become fully self-reliant when it comes to the civil aviation industry.

China Has Been Looking Forward To This Moment Since 2008​

To fulfill China’s Civil Aviation dreams, the COMAC was established in 2008 in Shanghai. The state-owned aerospace manufacturer designs and manufactures large passenger aircraft for the country. The C919, twin-engine, single aisle short to medium-range passenger aircraft designed by COMAC will become the country’s first commercial passenger aircraft. The name C919 has a special meaning wherein the C stands for China, ‘9’ in Chinese is pronounced as ‘九’ which means everlasting and enduring and 19 represents the aircraft’s max capacity of 190 seats.

Source: Comac.cc


C919 will try to compete with the world-famous Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max medium-range aircraft. The C919 features a standard range of 4075 km and a maximum range of 5555 km. The aircraft comes with a price tag of $99 million, which is cheaper than the $122 million Airbus A320 and $111 million Boeing 737 Max.

However, while the C919 is designed and assembled in China, like Boeing and Airbus, it also depends on global partnerships and collaborations for certain crucial parts and technological know-how. For example, COMAC uses LEAP-1C engines specifically designed for the company by CFM, a joint venture between GE Aviation of the US and Safran Aircraft Engines of France.

The C919 had its first successful maiden flight in 2017 and is now conducting the final certification procedures. As of December 26, the aircraft has completed a total of 100 hours of verification flights. China Eastern Airlines had already signed a contract to buy five C919 jetliners in March 2021 and will be the first air carrier to fly passengers on this aircraft.

COMAC Has Received 1200 Orders From 32 Customers​

Zhang Yujin, deputy general manager of COMAC said that China Eastern Airlines has the first batch of orders, and several airlines are vying for their planes. In the next five years, the company is expecting to produce 150 aircraft annually. According to the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai, COMAC has already received more than 1200 orders from 32 customers.

The initial demand for C919 will be focused in China but according to the recent report from Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), the C919 has the capacity to go global by breaking the Boeing-Airbus duopoly in the domestic market and then leveraging that success to explore overseas markets.

source: comac.cc


Global players are already vying for the Chinese aviation market. As China has the second-largest number of passenger air travelers it is a lucrative and important market for the global aviation industry. In 2022 alone, Airbus made 662 deliveries out of which 100 aircraft were for Chinese air carriers and Boeing made 480 deliveries out of which 8 were sold to Chinese airlines. For both these giants, the rise of COMAC and homegrown aircraft by China can pose a potential threat to their hegemony.

China Plans to End the Duopoly of Boeing and Airbus: Homemade C919 Jetliner all set to Fly This Spring - Gizmochina

China plans to end the Duopoly of Boeing and Airbus as its indigenous C919 jetliner is expected to fly by the spring of 2023

www.gizmochina.com

 

[Raider 21]

China Plans to End the Duopoly of Boeing and Airbus: Homemade C919 Jetliner all set to Fly This Spring​

By Joane
Jan 24, 2023

China’s indigenous C919 jetliner is set to take its first passenger flight in the Spring of 2023. The C919 is a part of commercial passenger aircraft made by COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corp of China). Once in operation, the aircraft will put China on the global aviation map and help Beijing to end the duopoly of US-based Boeing and France-based Airbus.

Airbus SE is the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturer. Though the company also makes military aircraft and helicopters, its major business comes from commercial passenger airlines. In 1972, Airbus launched the A300, the first-ever aircraft to have a digital fly-by-wire interface as well as dual engines and aisles. It then launched the upgraded A320 aircraft, which was designed with similar features and is considered the most popular and safest passenger aircraft in the world.

Boeing is famous in the aviation industry. The American corporation not only makes passenger aircraft but also manufactures weapon systems, satellites, and rockets. Boeing 747, 737, and Dreamliner models are extremely popular across the globe. However, Boeing faced serious backlash for the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which led to a worldwide grounding of Boeing 737 Max from March 2019 to December 2022. Some countries including China lifted the ban just this month.

China ranks second in the world, after US, for air passenger traffic and has the fastest-growing air passenger market. Thus, Beijing is highly motivated to make indigenous aircraft so that it can leverage the economic advantage of the massive market and reduce the dependency on international players like Airbus and Boeing. Moreover, complete dependence on foreign firms also increases the risk to national security and other geopolitical issues. Therefore, China wishes to become fully self-reliant when it comes to the civil aviation industry.

China Has Been Looking Forward To This Moment Since 2008​

To fulfill China’s Civil Aviation dreams, the COMAC was established in 2008 in Shanghai. The state-owned aerospace manufacturer designs and manufactures large passenger aircraft for the country. The C919, twin-engine, single aisle short to medium-range passenger aircraft designed by COMAC will become the country’s first commercial passenger aircraft. The name C919 has a special meaning wherein the C stands for China, ‘9’ in Chinese is pronounced as ‘九’ which means everlasting and enduring and 19 represents the aircraft’s max capacity of 190 seats.

Source: Comac.cc


C919 will try to compete with the world-famous Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max medium-range aircraft. The C919 features a standard range of 4075 km and a maximum range of 5555 km. The aircraft comes with a price tag of $99 million, which is cheaper than the $122 million Airbus A320 and $111 million Boeing 737 Max.

However, while the C919 is designed and assembled in China, like Boeing and Airbus, it also depends on global partnerships and collaborations for certain crucial parts and technological know-how. For example, COMAC uses LEAP-1C engines specifically designed for the company by CFM, a joint venture between GE Aviation of the US and Safran Aircraft Engines of France.

The C919 had its first successful maiden flight in 2017 and is now conducting the final certification procedures. As of December 26, the aircraft has completed a total of 100 hours of verification flights. China Eastern Airlines had already signed a contract to buy five C919 jetliners in March 2021 and will be the first air carrier to fly passengers on this aircraft.

COMAC Has Received 1200 Orders From 32 Customers​

Zhang Yujin, deputy general manager of COMAC said that China Eastern Airlines has the first batch of orders, and several airlines are vying for their planes. In the next five years, the company is expecting to produce 150 aircraft annually. According to the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai, COMAC has already received more than 1200 orders from 32 customers.

The initial demand for C919 will be focused in China but according to the recent report from Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), the C919 has the capacity to go global by breaking the Boeing-Airbus duopoly in the domestic market and then leveraging that success to explore overseas markets.

source: comac.cc


Global players are already vying for the Chinese aviation market. As China has the second-largest number of passenger air travelers it is a lucrative and important market for the global aviation industry. In 2022 alone, Airbus made 662 deliveries out of which 100 aircraft were for Chinese air carriers and Boeing made 480 deliveries out of which 8 were sold to Chinese airlines. For both these giants, the rise of COMAC and homegrown aircraft by China can pose a potential threat to their hegemony.

China Plans to End the Duopoly of Boeing and Airbus: Homemade C919 Jetliner all set to Fly This Spring - Gizmochina

China plans to end the Duopoly of Boeing and Airbus as its indigenous C919 jetliner is expected to fly by the spring of 2023

www.gizmochina.com

Yet Chinese airlines and training centers are ordering more Boeing and Airbus full flight simulators for training their airline pilots, COMAC has had us design their simulators too and through the sims we discovered a lot of snags that have also let to the aircraft program stall a bit. Once those are worked through, the C919 will probably pick up domestically. One of the industrial engineers mentioned that the industrial standards are being worked on for potential high volume production.

My assessment from what I saw that it is a Airbus upper deck with a Boeing 737 throttle quadrant and C-Series style avionics suite (the latter is obvious from COMAC's exposure to Bombardier engineering when they were being tutored and lectured about commercial aircraft design). Thales I think had setup the avionics suite, the engines were CFMLEAP in the data package provided, later option might include a Chinese engine prototype.