Comac's delivery targets fall short

Comac, a Chinese aircraft manufacturer, aimed to deliver 50 aircraft in 2026 but has only delivered 11 so far, according to data from the specialized firm Cirium. The company's C919, a medium-range passenger aircraft, has faced significant production delays despite being developed to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.

C919's development timeline

The C919, launched in 2008 and entering commercial service in 2023, has received about a thousand orders, primarily from Chinese airlines. Comac had planned to deliver 150 aircraft in 2028 and up to 200 in 2029, but progress has been slower than expected.

Airbus warns of Comac's growing threat

Christian Scherer, former head of the commercial division of Airbus, warned that Airbus should not take Comac lightly, referencing Boeing's past challenges with Airbus. Lars Wagner, director of commercial aircraft at Airbus, stated that the European manufacturer is closely monitoring Comac's progress, as the C919 aims to compete with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 MAX.

Comac's challenges ahead

Despite these ambitions, Comac faces challenges, including a lengthy certification process in Europe, with a potential timeline extending to 2034. Additionally, Comac relies on 80% of its aircraft components from European and American suppliers, which contributes to production difficulties.