Air China’s C919 Orders Highlight Urgent Need for Foreign Parts Amid Global Supply Chain Challenges

Air China’s C919 Orders Drive Need for Foreign Supplies

Air China’s C919 orders highlight an urgent requirement for foreign part acquisitions due to disruptions in the global supply chain. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has delivered 12 C919 aircraft since late 2022 but now faces significant challenges in meeting hundreds of additional orders.

Challenges in Aircraft Production

• Comac is enhancing production capabilities at its Shanghai facility but struggles with sourcing key components.
• Airlines like China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines have opted for varied configurations in their orders.
• The C919 directly competes with Airbus and Boeing models, creating added pressure for Comac.

Implications for the Future of Aircraft Production

Many contracts, such as a recent one involving Hainan Airlines, directly depend on foreign suppliers due to specific customer requests. CFM International is the main supplier for engines, but their capacity is shared with prominent Western manufacturers. Air China, with extended-range variants of the C919, reflects growing divergence in the domestic market.
Chinese efforts to foster self-sufficiency face obstacles as Mayur Patel notes the lengthy R&D process for indigenous engines like the CJ-1000.