China’s COMAC Advances in Aerospace with Development of New C939 Widebody Jet

China’s COMAC is making strategic advancements in the aerospace industry by initiating the development of a new widebody aircraft, the C939, poised to compete with market giants Airbus and Boeing. The C939, currently in the conceptual design phase, aims to seat up to 390 passengers, targeting the capacity range of Boeing’s 777 and Airbus’s A350 models.

This move signifies COMAC’s ambitious plan to expand its presence in the global aviation market. The C939 is an addition to COMAC’s growing fleet, which includes the C929—a widebody collaboration initially with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation but now solely a Chinese project. The C929, designed to compete with the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330, boasts 280 seats and a range of nearly 6,500 nautical miles.

Despite challenges, such as the slow delivery rate exemplified by the C919—COMAC’s narrowbody jet certified in 2022 with nearly 1,000 orders predominantly from Chinese entities—COMAC continues its push towards reducing China’s reliance on Western aircraft. This endeavor aligns with broader national ambitions to become more self-sufficient in key industries.

While the development of the C939 and C929 is still years away from fruition, COMAC’s efforts highlight a significant shift towards diversifying the competitive landscape of the global aircraft manufacturing industry. As COMAC progresses with these projects, further details and milestones are anticipated, marking an evolving chapter in aviation history.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, airlinegeeks.com