Chinese planemaker COMAC upstages Airbus and Boeing at Singapore Airshow
Chinese state-owned planemaker COMAC upstaged industry leaders Airbus and Boeing at the Singapore Airshow this week, showing off its self-developed C919 and ARJ21 jets as it pursues international certifications and foreign orders. "A reliable new choice," proclaimed an advertisement on COMAC's large booth in the centre of the show's event hall. Aviation, government and investment professionals thronged to its display, demonstrating the keen interest from trade delegates in learning more about a company with limited public engagement outside its home market to date. The C919, a rival to the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family single-aisle jets, flew for the first time outside Chinese territory. Show attendees said they saw it as a opportunistic coming out for COMAC, which took centre stage with a 50-plane order from China's Tibet Airlines on Tuesday. COMAC was able to seize a moment when the two dominant Western planemakers are dealing with supply chain issues that have frustrated airline customers and Boeing is wrestling with a series of crises, including a mid-air panel blow-out in January. "I generally absolutely welcome COMAC coming to the party," said Michael Szucs, CEO of Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB.PS), opens new tab, adding the Chi nese firm had sent a large delegation to visit the carrier eight months ago. "I'd rather it was a three horse race rather than a two horse race," he said. But the predominant view among aviation industry leaders attending Asia's biggest aviation gathering was that COMAC had a long road ahead to become a serious competitor and it would largely operate in China's domestic market in the near term. "I think people will take a second look because of all these delivery problems that Airbus and Boeing are having, but we have to be realistic because the C919 has not been certified by certain authorities so the call to action is limited," said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.<br/>
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Chinese planemaker COMAC upstages Airbus and Boeing at Singapore Airshow
Chinese state-owned planemaker COMAC upstaged industry leaders Airbus and Boeing at the Singapore Airshow this week, showing off its self-developed C919 and ARJ21 jets as it pursues international certifications and foreign orders. "A reliable new choice," proclaimed an advertisement on COMAC's large booth in the centre of the show's event hall. Aviation, government and investment professionals thronged to its display, demonstrating the keen interest from trade delegates in learning more about a company with limited public engagement outside its home market to date. The C919, a rival to the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family single-aisle jets, flew for the first time outside Chinese territory. Show attendees said they saw it as a opportunistic coming out for COMAC, which took centre stage with a 50-plane order from China's Tibet Airlines on Tuesday. COMAC was able to seize a moment when the two dominant Western planemakers are dealing with supply chain issues that have frustrated airline customers and Boeing is wrestling with a series of crises, including a mid-air panel blow-out in January. "I generally absolutely welcome COMAC coming to the party," said Michael Szucs, CEO of Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific (CEB.PS), opens new tab, adding the Chi nese firm had sent a large delegation to visit the carrier eight months ago. "I'd rather it was a three horse race rather than a two horse race," he said. But the predominant view among aviation industry leaders attending Asia's biggest aviation gathering was that COMAC had a long road ahead to become a serious competitor and it would largely operate in China's domestic market in the near term. "I think people will take a second look because of all these delivery problems that Airbus and Boeing are having, but we have to be realistic because the C919 has not been certified by certain authorities so the call to action is limited," said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.<br/>
