https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/519889/feed China has lofty ambitions for the home-grown production of civil aviation aircraft. After more than two decades of work, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has put two types of civilian jets in the air – the ARJ21 small aircraft and the C919 narrowbody aircraft. Two bigger passenger planes are on the drawing board – the C929 widebody aircraft and the C939 jumbo aircraft – but are not expected to be in service for at least a few years. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings A reported move by the United States to restrict exports of aircraft parts to China would place another speed bump on production of the C919 – a Chinese passenger jet designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing – as alternative sources of critical components for the plane are not readily available, according to analysts. The US Commerce Department has slowed export licensing for civilian aeroplane parts to China in recent weeks to strengthen Washington’s position in trade talks with Beijing,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369588/chinas-c919-jet-faces-further-delivery-delays-amid-us-export-chill-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369588/chinas-c919-jet-faces-further-delivery-delays-amid-us-export-chill-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen A Boeing 747-8 operated by Air China reportedly suffered a fuel leak at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport early on Monday, forcing the cancellation of the flight. No injuries were reported in or around the aircraft, which was expected to operate flight CA982 from New York to Beijing that day. The leak is said to have occurred between 1am and 2am while the plane was parked at the gate, according to posts on Chinese social media. It was being refuelled when the fuel truck moved... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3366093/air-china-boeing-747-grounded-new-york-following-gate-refuelling-incident?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3366093/air-china-boeing-747-grounded-new-york-following-gate-refuelling-incident?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:15:53 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen More Chinese carriers are willing to operate home-grown aircraft, especially the C919, if more can roll off the assembly line faster, but the demand-supply mismatch means it is now a trying time for the country’s leading planemaker, according to industrial insiders. They added that a parts shortage facing the manufacturer may be more than about aero engines. Executives from at least two airlines told an aviation forum held in Guangzhou on Thursday and Friday that they would welcome the marquee... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3364151/more-interest-home-grown-c919-lays-bare-demand-supply-mismatch-comac?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3364151/more-interest-home-grown-c919-lays-bare-demand-supply-mismatch-comac?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:00:06 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Arriving at his gate at Beijing Capital International Airport for a routine business trip to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday, Howard Deng was unaware he was about to take part in a Chinese aviation milestone. Air China flight 723 marked the first international service featuring the domestically produced C919 narrowbody jet from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), central to Beijing’s ambition to challenge the global duopoly of Boeing and Airbus. As one of 111... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3363904/very-smooth-passenger-shares-experience-c919s-first-commercial-international-flight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3363904/very-smooth-passenger-shares-experience-c919s-first-commercial-international-flight?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings With its first scheduled international route launching this month, the maiden flight of a high-altitude variant newly completed and a thumbs-up from European test pilots, China’s flagship C919 airliner is hitting new heights. China’s dream of a home-grown civil aviation fleet to rival Boeing and Airbus is coming closer with a national push to speed up certification of a domestically designed jet engine and smooth the development of a widebody C929 airliner, and combined orders of more than 1,200... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3363473/chinas-civil-aviation-ambitions-gain-some-lift?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3363473/chinas-civil-aviation-ambitions-gain-some-lift?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:14:20 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen A near-miss on Tuesday involving an All Nippon Airways (ANA) plane coming dangerously close to another jet while approaching Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from Shanghai has thrown aviation safety back into focus – particularly, anti-collision technology and protocols – according to industry professionals based in China. While the intervention of one jet’s traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) prevented contact between the two planes, analysts said there were lessons China could learn from the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3363065/what-caused-near-miss-between-two-jets-near-tokyo-and-what-can-china-learn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3363065/what-caused-near-miss-between-two-jets-near-tokyo-and-what-can-china-learn?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:00:07 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li China’s first high-altitude variant of the C919 narrowbody jet has completed its maiden test flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, marking a step forward in the home-grown aircraft’s challenge to Boeing and Airbus. Derived from the standard C919 platform, the specialised variant features a shortened fuselage and enhanced systems engineered for operations in high-altitude regions, the Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily reported on Monday. The plane will undergo comprehensive... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3362776/high-altitude-variant-chinas-c919-airliner-completes-first-test-flight-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3362776/high-altitude-variant-chinas-c919-airliner-completes-first-test-flight-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Aug 2026 07:27:37 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen European pilots have found “no major hardware risks” with the Chinese-made C919 passenger jet during a months-long flight testing process in China, which is now beginning to wrap up, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. The news indicates that the C919 has taken a step closer to winning a crucial endorsement from European safety regulators, but the sources cautioned that the completion of in-flight testing did not mean that certification was imminent. The “test drive” by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361170/eu-test-pilots-find-no-major-hardware-risks-chinas-c919-jet-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361170/eu-test-pilots-find-no-major-hardware-risks-chinas-c919-jet-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:00:07 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen The Chinese-made C919 passenger jet will make its first scheduled international flights next month in a significant milestone for the country’s ambitions to become self-sufficient in aerospace. The narrowbody aircraft, operated by national carrier Air China, will start flying between Beijing and the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar on August 12, according to state news agency Xinhua. There will be one round-trip flight every day. The C919 has already been making regular commercial flights to and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361087/chinas-c919-passenger-jets-enter-service-first-international-route?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361087/chinas-c919-passenger-jets-enter-service-first-international-route?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Airbus has secured an order for 55 aircraft from two Chinese airlines, including 15 widebody A350 jets, strengthening the European giant’s widebody sales in the world’s second-largest air transport market. Air China, one of the country’s three major state-owned carriers, announced the deal on Friday. The flag carrier said it would purchase 15 A350-900 passenger jets, while its subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines would acquire 40 narrowbody A320neo aircraft. The new-generation A350-900 and A320neo... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361001/airbus-sells-55-aircraft-including-15-widebody-a350s-2-chinese-airlines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361001/airbus-sells-55-aircraft-including-15-widebody-a350s-2-chinese-airlines?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:30:24 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s narrowbody C919 model is still on Malaysia Airlines’ radar, but Western certification remains the “preferred milestone” before consideration, according to a top executive, who added opportunities could present themselves in 2035 or beyond. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Bryan Foong, chief executive officer of airline business at Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), expressed optimism that the C919, assembled by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), would... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360130/chinas-c919-still-malaysia-airlines-radar-western-certification-preferred?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360130/chinas-c919-still-malaysia-airlines-radar-western-certification-preferred?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Jul 2026 03:00:10 +0000 Tang Meng Kit Tang Meng Kit Last month, China Eastern ordered 25 A330neo jets from Airbus, which come at a catalogue price of US$9.35 billion. The airline, which operates the inaugural commercial routes of the C919, China’s home-grown passenger jet, had placed another Airbus order just three months earlier. Why is this major Chinese airline transferring billions to a European company China’s government is trying to supplant? As a widebody jet, the A330neo competes in a segment where the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3359345/eu-isnt-just-selling-aircraft-china-its-helping-strengthen-competitor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3359345/eu-isnt-just-selling-aircraft-china-its-helping-strengthen-competitor?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jul 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu China Eastern Airlines has ordered 25 A330neo widebody jets from Airbus, marking the planemaker’s first major long-haul order from a Chinese carrier since last year, as the nation continues to favour the European manufacturer. The list price of the 25 aircraft is about US$9.35 billion, but China Eastern said in a statement on Friday that it had obtained a “substantial price discount” from Airbus, making the actual cost significantly less than the catalogue price. The Shanghai-based carrier... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3358540/china-eastern-buys-25-a330neo-widebody-jets-domestic-interest-rises-airbus-wings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3358540/china-eastern-buys-25-a330neo-widebody-jets-domestic-interest-rises-airbus-wings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:56:33 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Three years after its maiden commercial flight as China’s flagship civilian airliner, the C919 is entering a pivotal maintenance phase, with jets across the series being progressively grounded for rigorous inspections. The results of these safety-focused “C-checks” are expected to play a role in convincing European aviation regulators of the aircraft’s long-term airworthiness. State-owned carrier China Southern Airlines finished the first C-check of its C919 fleet at the end of May. The process... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3357164/chinas-first-c919s-get-critical-c-checks-european-regulators-watch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3357164/chinas-first-c919s-get-critical-c-checks-european-regulators-watch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:00:50 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen A suspected bird strike on a Chinese-made C909 regional jet in Beijing has reportedly left some marks on its nose and airframe, but experts said the likelihood of any severe damage was very low. The incident underscores the real-world tests of reliability facing the model as it is more widely deployed at home and abroad, according to observers. Air China flight CA1150, arriving from Ordos in Inner Mongolia, struck a large bird as it approached Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356640/air-china-c909-hits-bird-chinese-jets-face-growing-real-world-tests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356640/air-china-c909-hits-bird-chinese-jets-face-growing-real-world-tests?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:15 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s massive civil aviation fleet is ageing faster than planes are being replaced, threatening to saddle airlines with higher costs, but orders for home-grown C919 jets could help stem the tide, according to the head of north Asia for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Current aircraft replacements are failing to reach 2019 levels despite recent orders of Airbus and Boeing jets, IATA regional vice-president Xie Xingquan said at the industry group’s annual general meeting in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356365/chinas-c919-jet-poised-tackle-ageing-domestic-fleet-industry-official?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356365/chinas-c919-jet-poised-tackle-ageing-domestic-fleet-industry-official?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:00:07 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s home-grown airliners including the C909 and C919 series now have access to more repair and maintenance support for critical components such as engines and landing gear, as partnerships with service providers expand across the mainland and Hong Kong when jet deliveries and utilisation rise. With a wider network of support at home, these indigenous planes, assembled by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), stand a better chance of riding out global supply chain disruptions... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3355780/china-widens-repair-network-c919-c909-jets-outfly-supply-disruptions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3355780/china-widens-repair-network-c919-c909-jets-outfly-supply-disruptions?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:00:06 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu China’s domestically made regional jet, the C909, has struggled to compete with market leaders Airbus and Boeing since it launched a decade ago. But there is one place where it is thriving: the far-western Chinese region of Xinjiang. Chinese airlines have rolled out C909s in Xinjiang at a rapid clip over the past few years. The first C909 touched down in the region as recently as June 2023. Now, there are 30 of them being used on more than 120 routes in the remote territory, according to state... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3355699/why-chinas-c909-jet-rapidly-being-deployed-xinjiang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3355699/why-chinas-c909-jet-rapidly-being-deployed-xinjiang?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:00:06 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings European airlines are adding flights to China despite costly airspace barriers over Russia to capture surging tourism demand and vie with Chinese carriers, analysts said. The frequency of direct China-Europe flights will climb from 3,011 this month to a per-month maximum of 4,151 in August at the height of summer, British aviation intelligence firm OAG said on Sunday. The same span of time last year saw a similar flight frequency in May, but an increase to only 3,393 flights by that... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3353110/european-airlines-adding-china-flights-despite-russian-airspace-barrier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3353110/european-airlines-adding-china-flights-despite-russian-airspace-barrier?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:05 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s flagship civilian aircraft maker is planning to upgrade the cabin capacity of its C919 narrowbody airliner to improve passenger experience and boost the plane’s chances of challenging the Boeing-Airbus duopoly, a source with knowledge of the plans said. Bigger overhead luggage compartments and drip-proof air conditioning outlets are among the design upgrades being sketched out by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac). “Comac has realised it must make passengers as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3352901/chinas-comac-looking-upgrade-c919-flying-experience-more-cabin-luggage-capacity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3352901/chinas-comac-looking-upgrade-c919-flying-experience-more-cabin-luggage-capacity?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China remains on the radar of foreign aviators keen to scout out opportunities in the world’s second-largest economy, with many unfazed by the sector’s prolonged recovery and the dwindling number of expat pilots. Those expats still flying in China hail high job satisfaction and long-term outlook, but they also warn newcomers of competition and that overseas credentials and experiences are losing their acclaimed status. Jang Kwang-chol, an instructor captain with Chengdu Airlines who hails from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3352586/expat-pilots-hoping-take-china-told-their-credentials-are-no-longer-hot-ticket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3352586/expat-pilots-hoping-take-china-told-their-credentials-are-no-longer-hot-ticket?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 13:00:06 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The China Eastern Airlines plane that crashed into a hillside in 2022, killing all 132 people on board, had its fuel supply cut mid-flight, newly released investigative material shows, which bolsters the theory that the aircraft was intentionally brought down. While China still has yet to release a final report on the accident, findings released by the US National Transportation Safety Board this month show that levers controlling the flow of fuel to the jet’s engines were switched to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3352413/fatal-2022-china-eastern-airlines-plane-crash-points-deliberate-fuel-cut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3352413/fatal-2022-china-eastern-airlines-plane-crash-points-deliberate-fuel-cut?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 17:27:57 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Airbus secured an order for 137 A320neo jets from Chinese airlines, extending the European company’s edge in one of aviation’s most contested markets as US rival Boeing waits on a long-speculated deal with Beijing. China Southern Airlines, one of China’s three major state-owned carriers, announced the deal on Wednesday. The airline, based in the southern city of Guangzhou, will purchase 102 aircraft, while its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines will acquire the remaining 35. The orders carry a combined... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3351900/china-southern-airlines-orders-airbus-jets-worth-us21b-boeing-deal-remains-rumour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3351900/china-southern-airlines-orders-airbus-jets-worth-us21b-boeing-deal-remains-rumour?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:57:06 +0000 Tang Meng Kit Tang Meng Kit The signal is clear. In the first quarter of this year, just three C919 aircraft were delivered – two to China Southern Airlines and one to Air China. For a Chinese programme expected to deliver more than 30 of these home-grown narrowbody airliners this year, the gap between ambition and reality has opened up quickly. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) delivered 15 C919s last year, far short of the target of 75 set before supply disruptions forced a reset. Even the modest reported... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3350858/engine-dilemma-lies-heart-successful-take-chinas-c919?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3350858/engine-dilemma-lies-heart-successful-take-chinas-c919?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s top civilian aircraft manufacturer is reassessing geopolitical risks to its supply chains – particularly for jet engines sourced from foreign firms – according to a source at the planemaker, as deliveries of its flagship C919 passenger jet appear to be late or delayed this year. The Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is facing external and internal constraints, including reliance on foreign suppliers for critical components and persistent manpower shortages,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3350754/maker-chinas-c919-jet-weighs-supply-chain-weaknesses-amid-delivery-delays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3350754/maker-chinas-c919-jet-weighs-supply-chain-weaknesses-amid-delivery-delays?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:30:16 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Deliveries of China’s home-grown C919 narrowbody airliner, billed to challenge mainstream models from Boeing and Airbus, appear to be delayed, with only three units shipped to Chinese carriers in the first quarter of 2026. Observers point to several factors holding back the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac). While some C919s are said to be stuck on the tarmac waiting for engines, analysts also say prioritising quality over speed is the right bet for the planemaker. Only three C919... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3349112/chinas-c919-sees-delivery-delays-2026-3-units-shipped-3-months?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3349112/chinas-c919-sees-delivery-delays-2026-3-units-shipped-3-months?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Jet fuel shortages and surging prices are forcing flight cancellations across the Asia-Pacific, a squeeze that could intensify after the United States began controlling oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following failed peace talks with Iran. Tehran’s effective closure of the strait – a chokepoint for about 20 per cent of global oil supply – is hitting regional airlines, particularly in countries without strategic energy reserves, analysts said. Jet fuel reached nearly US$198 in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3349928/asia-air-travel-faces-turbulence-iran-war-exposes-jet-fuel-vulnerability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3349928/asia-air-travel-faces-turbulence-iran-war-exposes-jet-fuel-vulnerability?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:31 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Beijing aims to accelerate the rise of China’s home-grown airliner fleet, including the C909 regional plane, C919 narrowbody and C929 widebody, through 2030. This push to challenge the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus comes as a national five-year plan calls for aircraft production, development and the roll-out of a domestically developed engine. The next five years will prove vital to the success of the three aircraft models and the continued localisation of critical parts such as engines,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3346236/chinas-five-year-jet-goals-target-c919-output-new-engine-and-reduced-reliance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3346236/chinas-five-year-jet-goals-target-c919-output-new-engine-and-reduced-reliance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 02:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s leading planemaker is redoubling its efforts to boost the international profile of its home-grown jets in 2026, injecting a sizeable amount of capital into a subsidiary carrier as it attempts to widen its planes’ coverage area and attract more overseas buyers. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), manufacturer of the C909 regional airliner and the company’s flagship narrowbody C919, recently infused 634 million yuan (US$91.76 million) into C909 launch customer... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Ralph Jennings,Frank Chen Ralph Jennings,Frank Chen The maker of China’s expanding family of civilian aircraft has announced new orders for a regional jet and secured a crucial “brain” for its ambitious C929 widebody jet, coinciding with the Singapore Airshow. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) said on Tuesday that it signed a letter of intent for cooperation with Aviage Systems for the C929’s core avionics processing system, according to a Yicai news report. Avionics refer to an aircraft’s electronic systems, including... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3342392/new-brainer-chinas-c929-widebody-lands-partner-power-next-gen-flight-mind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3342392/new-brainer-chinas-c929-widebody-lands-partner-power-next-gen-flight-mind?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:16:39 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s civil aviation authority has floated a regulatory change that would allow its home-grown passenger jet, the C919, to use narrow runways typically found in smaller airports, a move that could help the plane expand its presence at home and break into the Southeast Asian market. The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced on Friday that it had set “special conditions” for the C919 to use narrow runways based on the jet’s design features, releasing a draft proposal for a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342252/china-plans-regulatory-change-help-c919-jet-compete-airbus-and-boeing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342252/china-plans-regulatory-change-help-c919-jet-compete-airbus-and-boeing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:01:30 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s chief builder of commercial aircraft is displaying its full product line – including its home-grown narrowbody C919 as well as a full surgical cabin on board its regional jet – at the Singapore Airshow as it seeks to widen its footprint in Southeast Asia. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has “set up” a C919 at the twice-yearly expo for a fly-by demonstration, according to independent aviation analyst Li Hanming. The show began on Tuesday and is set to run for six... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342150/chinas-c919-lift-again-singapore-airshow-bid-asean-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342150/chinas-c919-lift-again-singapore-airshow-bid-asean-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee When the first cohort of elite foreign captains parachuted into Chinese airlines in the 2000s, their sky-high pay – sometimes reaching 1 million yuan a year – raised eyebrows among their Chinese counterparts. These hotshot aviators, with their international exposure and qualifications, enjoyed a stratospheric level of success in the burgeoning Chinese market. Facing a shortage of experienced pilots, Chinese carriers embraced them with open arms, granting generous benefits and speedy paths to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is revving up the design and testing phase of its widebody C929 airliner, marshalling its resources and mobilising its stakeholders to roll out the indigenous jet on schedule – or, potentially, ahead of earlier estimates. Specialists from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have proactively involved themselves in the C929’s development, the South China Morning Post has learned, with personnel from the national regulator assessing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342069/chinas-widebody-c929-could-arrive-early-revved-development-plan-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342069/chinas-widebody-c929-could-arrive-early-revved-development-plan-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s leading planemaker is poised for a moderate ramping up of production and deliveries of its C919 narrowbody jet this year, aiming for 28 units or more, with two having already rolled off the production line just three weeks into the new year, according to sources and an industry analyst. While setbacks forced Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) to cut back on its delivery targets last year, a manager briefed on the state-owned giant’s plans said it expected supply chain... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3341030/maker-chinas-c919-jet-set-pick-production-pace-after-delay-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3341030/maker-chinas-c919-jet-set-pick-production-pace-after-delay-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen European aviation evaluators have begun test flights of China’s home-grown C919 airliner in Shanghai, the Post has learned, as the manufacturer of the narrowbody jet presses ahead with its bid to secure Western safety certification – a crucial step in the journey to global adoption and being able to compete with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus. Two test pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have conducted verification flights, according to a source with knowledge of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3339945/chinas-c919-airliner-put-through-paces-test-pilots-european-aviation-regulator?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3339945/chinas-c919-airliner-put-through-paces-test-pilots-european-aviation-regulator?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu European aviation giant Airbus won another two major orders from Chinese clients for a total of 90 A320neo aircraft on Tuesday, just a day after receiving orders for 55 passenger jets of the same model from two other Chinese airlines. Also on Tuesday, China Express Airlines announced it was purchasing three A320 planes at a list price of between US$390 million and US$420 million. The orders came weeks after Airbus’ CEO accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron on a state visit to China and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3338237/airbus-scores-major-win-china-orders-145-a320-aircraft?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3338237/airbus-scores-major-win-china-orders-145-a320-aircraft?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:01:27 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China has appointed its first female pilot to exclusively captain flights on its home-grown C919 jet, with more aspiring women waiting in the wings as the nation expands its talent pool and systemically transitions elite pilots who used to fly Boeing and Airbus jets to operate the narrowbody airliner. Yu Yue, who made a high-stakes switch from her decade-long career flying the US-made Boeing 737 to be a C919 captain this year, has become a source of inspiration for many in the country. According... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337431/soaring-top-china-appoints-first-female-captain-flights-home-grown-c919?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337431/soaring-top-china-appoints-first-female-captain-flights-home-grown-c919?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 06:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s state-owned planemaker intends to supersize its flagship jet through a partnership with a major domestic carrier to meet rising market demand for bigger narrowbody types, according to sources. The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) signed an agreement with China Eastern Airlines last week to deepen cooperation, including on a stretched variant of the single-aisle C919 that would be able to seat at least 200 passengers, the Post has learned. The deal positions China Eastern, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337728/chinas-c919-maker-teams-china-eastern-bigger-variant-cards-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3337728/chinas-c919-maker-teams-china-eastern-bigger-variant-cards-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:00:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s top aircraft maker is stepping up efforts to promote its first business jet as it looks to break into a market dominated by Western aviation firms like Gulfstream Aerospace. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) took the rare step of showcasing a completed version of the model – called the Comac Business Jet, or CBJ – at an exhibition in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in October. The move signalled the state-owned company was “seeking to break into the large-cabin... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3335352/chinese-home-grown-business-jet-way-will-it-rival-gulfstream?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3335352/chinese-home-grown-business-jet-way-will-it-rival-gulfstream?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 03:00:19 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s leading aircraft manufacturer, determined to carve out a share of the lucrative but technologically complex civil aviation market, has obtained a timely round of financial support from its state backers, greatly expanding its registered capital as the firm aims to overcome a production bottleneck and remount its challenge to the Boeing and Airbus duopoly. As competition from the two Western giants for contracts heats up amid a supply chain crunch that has slowed turnaround rates for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3334094/maker-chinas-c919-receives-massive-capital-injection-amid-supply-chain-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3334094/maker-chinas-c919-receives-massive-capital-injection-amid-supply-chain-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:00:27 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has launched a clean surgical cabin for its C909 narrowbody jet – an innovation the manufacturer touts as the first of its kind, and one that could expand access to complex medical procedures in the country's most remote and underserved regions. The upgrade advances the airborne hospital concept from in-flight diagnosis to genuine surgical capability, broadening the jet’s commercial applications, according to official media. The cabin is a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3334082/chinas-comac-debuts-c909-surgical-cabin-expand-flying-hospitals-remote-regions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3334082/chinas-comac-debuts-c909-surgical-cabin-expand-flying-hospitals-remote-regions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:00:31 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Brunei has officially adopted China’s civil aviation certification standards, easing access for Chinese-built aircraft such as the narrowbody C919 jet into the wealthy Southeast Asian market while serving as a potential model for how the planes could expand their international reach. Brunei accepted the airworthiness code of the Civil Aviation Administration of China earlier this month, the Chinese embassy in Brunei said on Monday on its website, citing the equatorial country’s Department of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3330920/international-win-chinas-c919-brunei-accepts-chinese-aviation-rules?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3330920/international-win-chinas-c919-brunei-accepts-chinese-aviation-rules?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:00:14 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China’s passenger jet manufacturer will make its Dubai Airshow debut next month, when it is likely to scout for buyers of its small C909 and narrowbody C919 aircraft in the Middle East. The air show’s website lists Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) among its 1,500 exhibitors, and analysts said the Shanghai-based, state-owned planemaker’s participation at the event from November 17 to 21 would mark a first for the company. Comac has been looking for overseas buyers of its older,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3330179/maker-chinas-c919-jet-visit-dubai-airshow-scout-middle-eastern-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3330179/maker-chinas-c919-jet-visit-dubai-airshow-scout-middle-eastern-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings The delivery delays appearing to hit China’s C919 – the home-grown narrowbody jet intended to compete with leading Western models – may lead some domestic carriers to consider more orders with US aerospace giant Boeing, industry insiders said. With financial reports from major airlines suggesting C919 units have not been arriving as scheduled, manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) may lose a share of its home market to its American rival, they said, despite the safety... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3327787/chinas-c919-jet-facing-order-delays-boeing-waiting-wings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3327787/chinas-c919-jet-facing-order-delays-boeing-waiting-wings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Deliveries of China’s first narrowbody passenger jet to the top three domestic airlines could be falling behind schedule, according to company financial reports, raising market speculation regarding potential disruptions to the model’s engine supply. Air China and China Eastern Airlines received one C919 aircraft each in the first half of the year despite their stated goals of adding 10 apiece in 2025, according to the reports. China Southern Airlines’ reports said the carrier expects 12 of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3327021/orders-chinas-c919-jet-could-face-delays-over-engine-supply-snags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3327021/orders-chinas-c919-jet-could-face-delays-over-engine-supply-snags?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 02:00:20 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke has called on the Chinese state-owned maker of the C919 passenger jet to set its sights on the global market and be more aggressive in boosting its international standing, as AirAsia nears a deal to become its first foreign buyer. Loke made the comments on Wednesday while speaking at a Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macau (Maycham) event, where he outlined a series of updates on his country’s transport industry – from air travel to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3325188/malaysia-calls-china-push-c919-jet-globally-airasia-circles-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3325188/malaysia-calls-china-push-c919-jet-globally-airasia-circles-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:30:13 +0000 Kandy Wong,Ralph Jennings Kandy Wong,Ralph Jennings Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia has shown strong interest in acquiring the Chinese C919 passenger jet, its executive said, as part of its strategy to tap into Southeast Asia’s 700 million-strong population and capitalise on growing China-Asean business ties. “We’re in active discussions to buy the C919,” Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A – an investment holding company of AirAsia – told the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on Wednesday. “We’re the first foreign airline to be working with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3325061/china-eyes-c919-jet-breakthrough-malaysian-airline-confirms-talks-buy-aircraft?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3325061/china-eyes-c919-jet-breakthrough-malaysian-airline-confirms-talks-buy-aircraft?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat Chinese-made aircraft are set to spread their wings further in Southeast Asia after Air Cambodia announced what could become the largest ever overseas order for C909 passenger jets. The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) for 10 of the jets, with the option to buy 10 more. “The two sides will closely cooperate on aircraft introduction, operational support and industry development,” according to an online statement by Comac,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3325014/chinas-comac-wins-one-its-biggest-overseas-orders-c909-jets-cambodia-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3325014/chinas-comac-wins-one-its-biggest-overseas-orders-c909-jets-cambodia-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:30:09 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings China plans to help dozens of countries develop their civil aviation capabilities through the Air Silk Road – a campaign that could, in turn, promote its home-grown aircraft and boost trade with nations from Central Asia to Europe. In the next phase of the eight-year-old initiative, Beijing would step up cooperation on aircraft leasing and civil aviation equipment manufacturing with some of the 150 countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the government said in a report. At a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3324900/chinas-air-silk-road-grows-can-comacs-c909-and-c919-jets-take-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3324900/chinas-air-silk-road-grows-can-comacs-c909-and-c919-jets-take-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:00:09 +0000