Air Cambodia Orders 20 COMAC C909 Jets from China
China’s domestically developed COMAC C909 regional jet has reached another milestone in its global expansion, securing a landmark order from Air Cambodia. The aircraft is based on the design of the McDonnell Douglas MD-90.
The Cambodian flag carrier has signed for 20 C909 jets — 10 firm orders and 10 additional aircraft under a letter of intent — marking a key step for the homegrown aircraft’s push into international markets. The deal underscores China’s ambition to position the C909 as a serious contender in the regional aviation sector.
The Comac C909, originally known as the ARJ21 Xiangfeng is a 78–90 seat regional jet manufactured by the Chinese state-owned aerospace company Comac. The COMAC C909 is based on the design of the McDonnell Douglas MD-90, specifically the shortened fuselage, although COMAC describes it as an indigenous design. The similarity stems from the use of a shortened MD-80/90 fuselage, a supercritical wing from Antonov, and GE engines, all of which make the C909 resemble the classic DC-9 family aircraft
Air Cambodia inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the C909 manufacturer, during a ceremony in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. COMAC said the two parties will cooperate closely on aircraft acquisition, operational support, and broader industrial collaboration.
Backed by the Kingdom of Cambodia, Air Cambodia is the country’s only airline certified by the IATA Operational Safety Audit, highlighting its commitment to international safety standards. At the signing event, Vice-Chairman and CEO David Zhan emphasized that the “Air Silk Road” — which links Zhengzhou with Cambodia and other ASEAN destinations under China’s Belt and Road Initiative — is operating successfully and gaining recognition in overseas markets.
“The new Air Silk Road connecting Zhengzhou with Cambodia and ASEAN focuses on operations across Asia and will become a new name card for Henan,” Zhan said.
Air Cambodia is a full-service airline founded in July 2009 by both the Cambodian Government and Vietnam Airlines with an initial capital of $100 million, formerly known as Cambodia Angkor Air, is the national flag carrier airline of Cambodia, with its corporate headquarters and main hub in Phnom Penh. The company slogan is “Proudly Serve the Kingdom”.
Air Cambodia operates the following aircraft, as of August 2025:
- Airbus A320-200 In service 2
- Airbus A321-200 In service 1
- ATR 72-500 In service 2
- ATR 72-600 In service 1
- Boeing 737-8 On order 20
- Comac C909 On order 20
The C909 has already entered commercial service with domestic Chinese airlines and international carriers in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos. With a range of 2,225 to 3,700 kilometers, the aircraft can serve most domestic routes as well as regional international sectors across Southeast Asia.
In addition to passenger operations, COMAC is also advancing specialized derivatives of the aircraft. On Tuesday, the first C909 medical aircraft — a specialized variant designed for emergency rescue, long-range medical transport, and critical care missions — was delivered to China Flying-Dragon General Aviation Co. Ltd. in Zhengzhou.
Featuring a maximum payload of 10 metric tons and capable of operating from ultra-high-altitude airports, the medical version represents a major step in COMAC’s “serialized development” strategy. According to independent aviation analyst Lin Zhijie, the program will produce multiple variants of the C909, including high-altitude, cargo, and business jet versions, enabling the aircraft to address more market segments and mission profiles beyond passenger transport.
With this high-profile order from Air Cambodia, COMAC strengthens its foothold in the competitive regional aircraft market, while the Cambodian carrier gains a modern, efficient platform to expand connectivity across Asia.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=C909, https://airguide.info/?s=Air Cambodia
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, chinadaily.com.cn