C919 සමඟින් Fuel COMAC හි අභිලාෂකාමී ඉදිරි ගමන, ගුවන් සේවා අනාගතය හැඩගස්වයි. ඇමරිකා එක්සත් ජනපදය, චීනය, ඉන්දුනීසියාව, ප්‍රංශය, වියට්නාමය සහ ලාඕසය

අඟහරුවාදා, අප්රේල් 29, 2025

The C919, China’s ambitious single-aisle commercial jet developed by COMAC, is poised for a transformative journey in the global aviation market. With certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) expected to take between three to six years, the aircraft’s path to international approval is both crucial and challenging. Key countries such as the US, China, Indonesia, France, Vietnam, and Laos are central to this process, as their support and the C919’s integration into their aviation markets will pave the way for its global dominance. As COMAC drives forward with its plans, the C919 stands at the forefront of China’s aerospace ambitions, ready to challenge industry giants like Airbus and Boeing.

Europe’s aviation regulatory body, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), has stated that certifying the COMAC C919, a new single-aisle commercial jet, will require a timeframe of three to six years. The agency’s executive director made this statement in an interview with a French publication on Monday, shedding light on the extended timeline for certifying the aircraft for commercial use in Europe. The C919, which is designed to compete with the best-selling narrow-body models from global aviation giants Airbus and Boeing, is an essential step for China to establish its position in the competitive global aviation market.

The C919 has already begun operations within China after receiving domestic safety certification in 2022. It entered service in 2023, marking a significant milestone for Chinese aviation as it made its debut in commercial air travel. However, despite the C919’s entry into service in China, its use has been confined to domestic routes, primarily within China and Hong Kong. This limited operational scope highlights the challenges that COMAC faces as it seeks to break into international markets, particularly given that the C919 has not yet received the necessary certifications from global aviation regulators, such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The path to obtaining certification from EASA is crucial for COMAC’s long-term plans to market the C919 to international airlines. As a major aviation authority, EASA’s approval is a requirement for the operation of any commercial aircraft within the European Union and many other countries. Most national aviation authorities worldwide, including the FAA in the United States, stipulate that airlines must operate aircraft that meet the stringent safety and operational standards set by these top regulatory agencies. Without EASA’s endorsement, the C919 will face significant challenges in being accepted by international airlines, especially those in Europe and other regions where EASA certification is a key factor in the purchasing decision.

A major challenge in the C919’s certification process is its absence of approval from prominent regulatory authorities outside China. Non-Chinese leasing companies and airlines have consistently expressed hesitation in adding the C919 to their fleets until it secures validation from EASA. These stakeholders, including those in the European, North American, and Middle Eastern markets, are hesitant to invest in the aircraft unless they have the assurance that it meets the rigorous safety standards of internationally recognized regulators. The C919’s development is a major step for China’s aerospace industry, but it faces a steep uphill battle in gaining international acceptance.

While the C919 is designed and assembled in China, a significant portion of the aircraft’s components are sourced internationally. One of the most notable examples is the aircraft’s engines. The C919 is powered by LEAP engines, a joint product of two major aerospace companies, GE Aerospace (based in the United States) and Safran (based in France). These engines are widely regarded as among the most advanced in the aviation industry, and their inclusion in the C919 is an indication of COMAC’s attempt to ensure that the aircraft meets the high-performance standards expected of modern commercial jets.

Despite these advanced components, the international certification process will be complex. EASA’s rigorous evaluation of the C919 will require comprehensive testing, extensive documentation, and likely a series of modifications to ensure that the aircraft meets the necessary safety and operational standards for global markets. The certification process typically involves extensive audits of the aircraft’s design, manufacturing processes, and operational performance. Additionally, any issues discovered during testing will need to be addressed before the aircraft can be approved for commercial use outside of China. It is expected that the C919 will undergo a similar evaluation process to other new aircraft, such as Boeing’s 737 MAX and Airbus’ A320neo, which both took several years to achieve global certification after their initial rollout.

In the meantime, COMAC is attempting to gain traction in international markets through its older and smaller regional jet, the C909. This aircraft, which was China’s first jet engine-powered plane to reach commercial production, has already been deployed with airlines in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos. These countries, which are more flexible in terms of certification requirements, allow their airlines to operate Chinese-certified planes. By placing the C909 with airlines in these markets, COMAC is building a foundation for its future aircraft offerings. The success of the C909 in these regions may help establish COMAC’s credibility as a global aviation manufacturer and may create a pathway for the C919 to eventually be introduced into more mature markets.

The C919, developed by China’s COMAC, is set to revolutionize global aviation, with EASA certification expected in three to six years. Key countries like the US, China, Indonesia, France, Vietnam, and Laos play pivotal roles in its journey toward international success.

Despite the challenges it faces in obtaining global certification, COMAC’s ambition to break into international markets is clear. The C919’s success in China has already proven the aircraft’s potential, and its development marks a significant achievement for China’s aerospace industry. As global demand for commercial aircraft continues to grow, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, the C919 has the opportunity to establish itself as a serious competitor to the dominant players, Airbus and Boeing.

However, for COMAC to achieve its goal of expanding into foreign markets, it must navigate the complex regulatory landscape and gain the trust of international airlines and lessors. The path to EASA certification, while long and challenging, represents a critical step in realizing the C919’s potential as a global player in the commercial aviation market. As the certification process unfolds over the next few years, the aviation world will be closely watching to see if the C919 can successfully transition from a domestically approved aircraft to a major contender on the international stage.