COMAC Showcases Wide-Body Aircraft at Paris Air Show 2023 Amidst CR929 Program Changes
During the Paris Air Show 2023, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) captured attention by presenting its impressive lineup, including the ARJ21, C919, and a striking wide-body aircraft with the tagline “long-range wide-body” displayed on a screen. This twin-aisle jet can comfortably seat between 280 to 320 passengers and boasts an impressive range of up to 12,000 kilometers (6,479 nautical miles, 7,456 miles).
Interestingly, the aircraft bore the unmistakable label “Comac wide-body” on its tail, front fuselage, and belly. This raised questions about the status of Russia’s involvement in the CR929 program, a dual-aisle civil aircraft developed jointly by China and Russia.
The CR929’s technical specifications mirror those of the showcased wide-body aircraft, leading to speculation about a potential shift in the partnership between COMAC and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Although the CR929 product page still exists on both the Chinese and English versions of COMAC’s website, the visualizations show the UAC’s association, while the “Comac wide-body” label takes precedence.
In August 2022, UAC’s CEO, Yuri Slyusar, hinted at upcoming changes to the CR929 project due to evolving market demands and the impact of sanctions placed on Russia following the Ukrainian invasion. Consequently, UAC considered updating its participation format in the project. Later in March 2023, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, suggested the possibility of becoming a component supplier instead of a full partner in the CR929 venture.
Recent reports suggest that COMAC will continue the development of the wide-body aircraft without Russia’s direct involvement. Although both companies may explore alternative forms of cooperation, it appears that their paths have diverged, potentially impacting the timeline for the CR929’s anticipated entry into service, initially planned for 2026 or 2027.