China’s New C919 Plane Has Boeing in Its Sights

China’s first domestically built passenger jet is taking aim at markets previously dominated by Western companies like Boeing and Airbus. The new C919 jet is already being operated at 10 cities across China, with its domestic airlines queuing up to purchase more units. The model has carried over a million passengers since its launch in 2023. Newsweek contacted China Eastern Airlines for comment on this story via email. Why It Matters Passenger plane production has historically been dominated by Western companies, such as Boeing and Airbus, based in the U.S. and Europe respectively. However, Boeing has suffered from a drastic decline in public opinion, with its 737 models being involved in the South Korea December crash and other runway incidents. The new Chinese model, designed to compete with the 737’s 170-plus passenger capacity and 7,000-kilometer (4,350-mile) range, comes as a blow to Boeing, which has traditionally supplied Chinese markets with aviation equipment. What To Know The C919 was first launched in May 2023, with China Eastern Airlines being the first company to use it for commercial flights. In just over a year, the model has been introduced into major routes between 10 of the largest cities in China. The C919 manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China has taken steps to ramp up production quickly. While only 13 planes are currently in use, the Shanghai-based company plans to have 360 in circulation over the next 10 years, with local governments chipping in to help their regions benefit from the internal connections. A Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China C919 passenger jet in south China’s Guangdong province on November 13, 2024. The new model will continue to roll out in China’s internal flight market in 2025. A Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China C919 passenger jet in south China’s Guangdong province on November 13, 2024. The new model will continue to roll out in China’s internal flight market in 2025. AP Photo Shanghai remains the hub for the new model, with the city serving as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s center of production, as well as the base for its research and development departments. The developments come as Boeing, the main competitor in China’s internal plane market, suffered a blow to its reputation after a 737-800 crashed in South Korea due to landing gear issues, causing the deaths of 179 people. All planes of that model in the country have been temporarily grounded for inspection as a result. What People Are Saying He Dongfeng, the president of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, said in a statement: “The C919 is entering a new journey. There are more models, faster production rates and more deliveries of differentiated models to multiple airlines. These changes have put forward new and higher requirements.” What Happens Next Some 365 unit orders for the C919 are being worked on by the manufacturer, with the progress predicted to continue into the 2030s. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China is also attempting to get approval for the C919 to be used overseas, which would open the market even wider. Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.