Can China's COMAC C919 truly break the Airbus and Boeing duopoly?

China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) C919 narrowbody jet is facing significant hurdles in its bid to become a true global competitor to the Airbus and Boeing duopoly.

While the aircraft is now in service with major Chinese carriers, aviation experts suggest the COMAC C919 currently lacks the necessary international certifications and production maturity to seriously challenge the established manufacturers. The key challenge remains securing international certification from major Western regulators.

The International Certification Hurdle

The C919 has been certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). However, to be sold and operated by most international airlines, it requires validation from either the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

• EASA Approval: EASA pilots conducted verification flights of the C919 in Shanghai in January 2026. Despite this progress, EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet previously stated that certification is a "medium-term objective." Approval is projected to take three to six years from a 2025 assessment, meaning it may not be granted until between 2028 and 2031.
• FAA Approval: COMAC is reportedly not actively pursuing FAA approval at this time.

Without EASA or FAA validation, the C919's global sales potential is severely constrained. Non-Chinese airlines and leasing companies require certification from these agencies before considering the aircraft for their fleets.

Competitive and Production Challenges

Analysts have noted that the C919, which is designed to compete with the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 MAX, is currently considered a "previous generation's aircraft." Some reports suggest it is smaller and more expensive than its Western rivals. New-generation aircraft are typically around 20% more fuel efficient than their predecessors, a critical factor for airlines battling high operating costs.

Slow Production and Supply Chain

COMAC's production rate also highlights the difficulty of scaling up to rival the established duopoly. The manufacturer fell short of its revised 2025 delivery target, handing over only 15 aircraft to Chinese state-owned airlines. Analysts project COMAC will deliver only about 25 C919s in 2026. This is a stark contrast to the production rates of the Airbus A320neo family, which can reach 60-70 units per month.

Supply chain bottlenecks remain a critical constraint. The C919 relies on Western components, including the CFM LEAP-1C engines, which contain U.S.-made core modules. This dependence leaves COMAC vulnerable to geopolitical and export control issues.

Domestic Success and Regional Push

Despite international challenges, the C919 is a domestic success. China's three largest state-owned carriers—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—are the backbone of the C919 program. The aircraft entered commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in May 2023.

• Industry projections suggest COMAC could capture approximately 25% of new single-aisle aircraft deliveries in the Chinese market by 2042.
• The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is also working to boost the jet's domestic reach by proposing certification for operation on narrower runways.

COMAC is actively promoting the C919 in Southeast Asia, showcasing the jet at the Singapore Airshow in early 2026. This regional push targets markets where delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing are causing significant operational issues for airlines. However, without Western certification, its ability to compete in major global markets will remain limited for the foreseeable future.

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