Air China and COMAC: A Historic Agreement for the New C929 Aircraft

Air China and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) recently reached a significant agreement: the airline will become the launch customer for the upcoming long-haul, wide-body aircraft, the C929. This partnership was formalized on November 12, 2024, at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai. This major event reflects China’s ambition to establish itself as a key player in the global civil aviation industry by developing a new, competitive aircraft for long-haul flights.

COMAC has yet to specify the number of aircraft that Beijing-based Air China intends to order, or the precise delivery schedule. However, the announcement confirms the positioning of this new aircraft in the market. The C929, capable of accommodating between 280 and 400 passengers, is expected to have a range of up to 12,000 kilometers (around 7,500 miles), making it suitable for international long-haul routes.

The development of this aircraft has not been without challenges. Initially, the project, known as the CR929, was undertaken in partnership with Russia, specifically with the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). This Sino-Russian partnership envisioned COMAC and UAC combining their expertise: the C929’s general structure would primarily be constructed by COMAC, while the design of its wings, made from composite materials, was entrusted to UAC, known for its experience in this area. However, geopolitical circumstances greatly impacted the project. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian aerospace industry faced severe economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies. As a result, Russia withdrew from the project, and the CR929 was rebranded as the C929 in 2023, marking a shift toward exclusively Chinese development.

At this stage, the COMAC C929 is still in the design phase, and several more years of work are required before production. COMAC has, however, provided an initial glimpse of the production schedule, announcing that the “central fuselage section” of the aircraft should be completed and delivered by September 2027. This progress marks the first milestone in a long process and symbolizes China’s continued efforts to carry out such an ambitious project.

For Air China, becoming the launch customer for the C929 represents an opportunity to diversify its fleet and contribute to the growth of the national aerospace industry. For COMAC, the stakes are high: successfully producing an aircraft that could eventually compete with the world’s aerospace giants, Airbus and Boeing. The success of the C929 will depend not only on its technical performance but also on China’s ability to overcome industrial challenges and secure the necessary international certifications.

Thus, although obstacles remain, this agreement between Air China and COMAC illustrates China’s determination to advance in the aerospace sector while reinforcing its independence from foreign manufacturers.