China’s C909 jet gets international uplift with funding for adoptive airline - SCMP

China’s C909 jet gets international uplift with funding for adoptive airline - SCMP

China’s C909 Jet Gains Global Momentum Through Strategic Funding and Partnerships

China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is advancing its international ambitions for the C909 regional jet through a significant capital infusion into Chengdu Airlines, its 48%-owned subsidiary. The 634 million yuan ($91.76 million) investment, combined with additional funding, has increased Chengdu Airlines’ registered capital to 2 billion yuan, tripling its previous value. This move aims to expand the C909’s operational reach into Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Russia, with the carrier already planning routes to destinations such as Russia’s Vladivostok and Kyrgyzstan’s Osh according to reports.

The C909, China’s first jet-engine regional aircraft to achieve commercial production, has already been integrated into the fleets of several international carriers. This contrasts with COMAC’s larger C919 narrowbody jet, which remains in domestic service despite its 2023 commercial debut. Analysts view the C909’s international deployment as a strategic step to build credibility for COMAC’s broader product lineup.

Recent regulatory developments further support COMAC’s global push. Brunei’s aviation authority amended its rules to include China’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) as an approved regulator, allowing airlines to operate Chinese-made aircraft. This follows similar changes in Vietnam and aligns with COMAC’s efforts to bypass Western certification hurdles. GallopAir, a Brunei-based airline backed by Chinese investors, has ordered 15 C909s and 15 C919s—the first non-Chinese order for the C919.

In another strategic move, COMAC secured a 49% stake in Lao Airlines, the national carrier of Laos, under a revised agreement with the Lao government. The partnership, part of broader regional collaborations, aims to enhance operational efficiency and expand route networks, though an independent audit of the airline’s assets remains pending.

While COMAC faces challenges, including delays in C919 deliveries and limited Western certifications, these initiatives underscore its determination to compete in a market dominated by Boeing and Airbus. The C909’s growing international presence and regulatory progress in Southeast Asia and Brunei signal a calculated effort to establish long-term market relevance.