C919: China seen certifying passenger jet this year, but can the plane claim market share from Boeing and Airbus?
- Success of the C919 is vital to both China’s technological development and its domestic aviation market
- China’s continued ban on Boeing’s 737 MAX may come up in discussions among US and Chinese officials at their talks in Alaska this week
While China expects that its home-grown C919 passenger jet will be officially certified to fly this year, analysts say the nation’s aviation industry is far from capable of filling the void left by Boeing, which remains entangled in a political dispute between Beijing and Washington.
China’s rapid economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, strong government support, and the country’s continued ban on Boeing’s troubled 737 MAX jet on safety concerns all provide an opportunity for the C919 to claim a share of the domestic market from Boeing and Airbus. But first, the C919 must prove itself to be reliable and efficient.
Wu Guanghui, the chief designer of the C919, China’s first medium-haul passenger aircraft, said on March 5 that he expected the C919 to finish flight testing and win airworthiness certification by the end of this year.
“The years 2021 and 2022 will be decisive for the C919 program. 2021 will be decisive because of the certification,” said Jean-Francois Dufour, chief analyst at intelligence consultancy DCA Chine-Analyse, adding that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will set stringent requirements for the new plane.