Air China has officially signed a framework agreement with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to become the launch customer for the highly anticipated C929 long-haul widebody aircraft. According to Shanghai Daily, The announcement was made during the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, marking a milestone for the country’s aerospace industry.
The COMAC C929 has long been seen as a contender in the competitive widebody aircraft market, traditionally dominated by industry giants Airbus and Boeing. With this new agreement, COMAC aims to challenge the likes of the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777. Although still in the design phase, the C929 is expected to accommodate around 280 passengers, a slightly smaller capacity compared to the Airbus A350, which seats between 300 and 410, and the Boeing 777, which can carry up to 396 passengers, depending on configuration.
The C929, once completed, will have a range of over 7,000 miles, allowing it to serve long-haul international routes. This makes it a strong competitor to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, a popular option for airlines seeking fuel-efficient, long-range aircraft.
While the C929 has generated significant interest, it will take several years before Air China and other airlines will be able to take delivery of the new aircraft. The C929 is currently in the design stage, with COMAC estimating that the first fuselage section will be completed by September 2027. Despite this extended timeline, the aircraft maker remains optimistic, with plans for a prototype test flight scheduled to take place in the near future.
COMAC has been working to establish itself as a key player in the global aviation market, and the C929 is a crucial part of the company’s long-term strategy. The aircraft is being developed with independent intellectual property rights, ensuring that China’s aerospace industry can move away from its reliance on foreign-made technology. This is particularly important as China aims to challenge the dominance of Western manufacturers in the widebody aircraft market.
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The development of the C929 was originally part of a joint venture between Russia and China, known as the CR929 project. However, the partnership was disrupted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to the withdrawal of Russia’s involvement. This shift resulted in the renaming of the aircraft from CR929 to C929 in 2023, marking a new chapter for the project as a fully Chinese initiative.
According to Yury Slyusar, the General Director of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), many of the technology partners involved in the project ceased their cooperation following sanctions placed on Russia. Despite these setbacks, COMAC has continued to press forward with the development of the aircraft.
“All those world technology leaders who cooperated with us, and with the Chinese on the project, have stopped this cooperation,” Yury Slyusar, the General Director of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said in 2023, blaming sanctions placed on Russia.
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The C929 is not the only aircraft COMAC is working on. The company has also developed the C919, a narrowbody jet designed to compete with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. The C919 has already generated significant domestic interest and is seen as a vital step in reducing China’s dependence on foreign aircraft manufacturers.
Hainan Airlines has placed firm orders for 60 C919 narrowbody jets and 40 C909 regional jets, while Colorful Guizhou Airlines has committed to 30 C909 planes, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements. These orders are a testament to the growing confidence in COMAC’s ability to deliver competitive aircraft to the market.
Once completed, the C929 is expected to revolutionize China’s long-haul flight capabilities, catering to both regional and international travel needs. Its range of 12,000 kilometers and seating capacity of 280 to 400 passengers position it as a strong alternative to existing widebody aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Additionally, the C929 could find potential customers beyond China, including Russia and other Asian markets, as it gains traction in the international aviation sector.
