During the demonstration flight, the aircraft banked, revealing its underside painted with 'C919 Comac'. This short yet symbolic display highlighted one of Beijing's strategic projects. The event occurred as the global aircraft market faces challenges, with both Boeing and Airbus experiencing delivery delays.

Chinese officials declined to answer media questions about efforts to secure the first buyers outside East Asia. However, they likened this ambitious project to Dubai's transformation. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the C919's manufacturer, displayed a poster at its exhibition booth stating, "Where wonders meet".

Dozens of people queued to see the C919 in Dubai. A pilot also shared experiences operating the aircraft.

The C919 on display at the Dubai Airshow on 17/11/2023. *Photo: Reuters*

The C919 is the culmination of 14 years of development by COMAC, receiving Chinese certification in late 9/2022. This narrow-body aircraft accommodates 158-169 passengers with a range exceeding 5,500 km. The C919 competes with the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320.

At the event, COMAC also unveiled plans to develop an aircraft series to compete with various Boeing and Airbus products. This includes a stretched C919 version, capable of carrying 210 passengers, specifically designed for the Asia-Pacific region. This variant is expected to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing's 737 MAX 10.

In recent years, Gulf countries have strengthened ties with China. Beijing is currently the largest trading partner for both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

COMAC also brought the C909 to Dubai, China's first commercially produced jet aircraft. This aircraft entered service in 2016.

COMAC aims to compete with Airbus, Boeing, and smaller rival Embraer. In 2024, the C919 was also showcased at the Singapore Airshow. However, neither the C909 nor the C919 has received airworthiness certification from Western authorities. Consequently, COMAC is exploring other markets to enhance its reputation.

Last month, Brunei became the latest nation to permit airlines to operate China-made aircraft. GallopAir placed an order for 15 C909 aircraft and 15 C919 aircraft in 2023. Despite this, neither model has secured significant global customers to date.

Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing's commercial airplanes division, welcomed COMAC's emergence. She told Reuters, "Competition benefits the entire industry. It's good for Boeing and all of us".

Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus's commercial aircraft division, similarly remarked, "It's not a threat; it's a competitor. This is reality".

Analysts do not believe Chinese aircraft will quickly gain significant global market share. However, COMAC's presence signals a clear ambition to enter one of the last strongholds of Western manufacturing.

While promotional materials emphasize Chinese intellectual property ownership, the C919's brochure lists 18 Western suppliers for systems ranging from engines to landing gear. COMAC stated in a declaration that it "will continue to be open to cooperation, and also seeks to build closer, stronger, and deeper relationships with global customers and partners".

Ha Thu (according to Reuters)