C919

The C919 is a short-to-medium range, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China , commonly known as COMAC . It represents China's first domestically produced large trunkline passenger aircraft, designed to compete directly with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. While the airframe is Chinese, the aircraft relies heavily on Western-designed subsystems, including Leap-1C engines from CFM International and avionics from GE Aerospace. The primary customer base consists of state-owned Chinese carriers and domestic leasing firms. Launch operators include China Eastern Airlines , followed by Air China and China Southern Airlines . Sales are currently focused on the mainland Chinese market, though COMAC has engaged in marketing efforts across Southeast Asia and Africa to secure export orders. The aircraft is sold through direct purchase agreements and large-scale framework deals typical of state-led procurement. The Aerospace Garage desk identifies supply chain vulnerability as a primary risk, specifically the reliance on non-domestic propulsion and flight control components. Verification is required regarding the production rate scalability at the Shanghai assembly line and the progress of the CJ-1000A indigenous engine programme. Furthermore, the lack of certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency or the Federal Aviation Administration limits the type's current operation to Chinese-registered carriers and jurisdictions recognising Civil Aviation Administration of China standards.