COMAC Secures Air China as the First Customer for the C929 Widebody Aircraft
The Chinese aviation industry showcased its developing capabilities at the opening of the Zhuhai Airshow. The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) announced Air China as the first customer for its new C929 wide-body aircraft. The event also featured the presentation of China's first commercial unmanned spaceplane model by the aviation company AVIC.
COMAC, the state-owned aviation manufacturer, announced it has rebranded its regional jet, previously known as the ARJ21, to C909. This move aligns with brand consistency strategies across the aircraft series. Zhang Xiaoguang, COMAC's marketing director, explained to reporters that the new commercial name C909 was chosen after extensive consultation and evaluation to strengthen the brand.
Displayed in white and blue colors at the airshow, the C909 stands out with improvements in weight, resistance, and noise reduction, leading to better flight cost efficiency. Details about how many C929 jets Air China will purchase and the expected delivery dates have not been disclosed.
Additionally, COMAC announced that it has received orders for 60 C919 narrow-body jets and 40 C909 jets from Hainan Airlines. Furthermore, Colorful Guizhou Airlines committed to purchasing 30 C909 aircraft, with 20 confirmed and the remaining 10 under preliminary conditions.
The event also highlighted military advancements; the Bayi aerobatic team impressed attendees with a formation of four J-20 stealth jets and the public's first look at the J-35A stealth fighter. The army's Z-20 helicopter, which can be adapted for various uses, including anti-submarine warfare, was particularly interesting due to its potential to expand the operational range of the People's Liberation Army Navy.
In this environment showcasing Chinese aviation innovations, Airbus China CEO George Xu expressed confidence in the competition from Chinese jets. Xu emphasized Airbus's commitment to collaborating with Chinese partners and noted that the certification process for the A330neo jet in China is progressing smoothly, with the first delivery expected in 2025.
Xu also commented on the global trade environment, stating that Airbus supports free trade. However, trade disputes and the recent promise by newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump to implement widespread tariffs could pose new challenges.
Another highlight was AVIC's model of the first commercial unmanned spaceplane designed to carry cargo to China's space station. According to reports, the China Manned Space Agency awarded AVIC an engineering flight verification contract for the spaceplane on October 29, indicating a step forward in China's space exploration capabilities.
The Zhuhai Airshow, which opened today, will continue until November 17 and will serve as a platform to showcase China's achievements and aspirations in the aviation sector.