Air China to Launch COMAC’s C929 in a Bid to Rival Boeing and Airbus

China’s ambitions to compete with the world’s leading widebody aircraft manufacturers took a major step forward this week.

At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. (COMAC) announced a significant milestone with over 100 new aircraft orders.

This included a high-profile agreement with Air China for the development and future launch of the C929—a jet seen as a potential competitor to popular widebodies like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

The C929 project, previously known as the CR929, was initially developed as part of a joint venture between China and Russia. However, due to the breakdown of that partnership following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, comac has continued the project independently.

Now in its preliminary design phase, the C929 is expected to accommodate around 280 passengers and cover a range of up to 12,000 kilometers, aligning with the demands of long-haul routes.

Although COMAC has not provided a specific timeline for the comac c929’s entry into service, reports suggest that work on the prototype is already underway, and a COMAC supplier anticipates delivering the first fuselage section by 2027.

While details on the exact number of aircraft in Air China’s order are yet to be disclosed, the commitment signals China’s determination to expand its influence in the aviation sector.

With the C929, COMAC aims to challenge Boeing and Airbus’s dominance in the widebody market, providing airlines with a new, homegrown option for international and regional routes.