China's Boeing ban opens sky for homegrown Comac C919
In response to the trade war initiated by Donald Trump, China has dealt a significant blow to Boeing through a ban on the purchase of American aircraft by Chinese airlines. China's industry is prepared for this move, having developed its own plane, the C919, which competes with the Boeing 737 MAX.
The ban on the purchase of American passenger aircraft and parts by Chinese airlines is one of Beijing's responses to American tariffs. Chinese airlines must also cancel existing agreements, except for those where American aircraft will be delivered before the reciprocal tariffs take effect.
The decision by Chinese authorities is a significant blow to Boeing. The American manufacturer has been struggling for years with issues caused by technical defects in its aircraft, as well as a temporary drop in orders due to the pandemic. Since 2019, Boeing has lost around 36 billion dollars. The recent decision by Beijing suggests that its problems could become even more significant.
This is because, according to Boeing's recent estimates, the Chinese aviation market will account for 20% of global demand for aircraft by 2043. This equates to an order of about 8,800 new passenger planes, with more than 6,700 being narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX.
Beijing's decision means Boeing loses a substantial market, even assuming that some orders are fulfilled by Airbus and some by Chinese manufacturers.
Chinese passenger aircraft Comac C919
Furthermore, China is prepared for such a step. In 2023, the modern narrow-body Chinese passenger aircraft Comac C919 had its first commercial flight. Although its production is just gaining momentum, and only a few dozen units have rolled off the production lines, the producer of the C919, the Comac corporation, already has orders for over 900 aircraft of this type.
The aircraft is 128 feet long, has a wingspan of 118 feet, and a range of—depending on the version—approximately 2,485 to 3,418 miles. The plane can accommodate 150 to 198 passengers.
The debut of the C919 was accompanied by a scandal related to accusations from the U.S. of industrial espionage, which were substantiated by convictions issued by American courts.
Although Beijing presents the C919 as a product of Chinese technical ingenuity, the aircraft is made with the involvement of many Western components, produced in China by companies established for this purpose, merging Western aviation expertise with Chinese entities.
Regardless, Comac has very ambitious plans for expansion in local and global markets. By 2031, the company plans to increase production to 20 units per month. The elimination of Boeing from the Chinese market can only aid in this endeavor.
