COMAC Faces Delays in C919 Deliveries and Reduces Production Targets
Chinese manufacturer COMAC is experiencing difficulties in meeting delivery commitments for its single-aisle C919 aircraft, according to regulatory reports from the three airlines already operating the model, Reuters reported.
China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern were expecting to receive 32 units this year. However, as of September, only five aircraft had been delivered, based on the companies’ financial reports and data compiled by ch-aviation and Flightradar24.
Change in Production Plans
The delays have forced the state-owned consortium to cut its annual production targets. According to Bloomberg, COMAC has reduced its 2025 target from 75 aircraft to 25, a figure well below projections announced in previous months.
In January, the company stated it planned to deliver 30 C919s and expand its production capacity to 50 units per year by 2025. Subsequently, in March, it raised the target to 75 aircraft, according to Chinese media. However, current results indicate these forecasts were overly optimistic.
→ China’s Major Airlines Remain in Red in First Half of 2025
A Competitor Against Airbus and Boeing
The C919 is Beijing’s major project to compete with Western manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, which produce dozens of single-aisle aircraft each month: the A320neo family and the 737 MAX, respectively.
Although it is a strategic program for China, the model faces a significant obstacle: dependence on foreign components, including the CFM engine. In fact, between June and July, the United States temporarily halted exports of these engines amid rising trade tensions.
Limited Certifications and Customers
Another limitation for the C919’s international expansion is the lack of safety certifications from major Western regulators, which restricts its appeal outside Asia.
To date, orders have primarily come from Chinese airlines, plus two companies in Brunei and Cambodia, countries with close ties to Beijing.
Industry Outlook
According to aviation consultancy IBA, COMAC’s production plans are too ambitious. Its forecast points to a much more gradual evolution: 18 units in 2025, 25 in 2026, and around 45 in 2027.
The country’s three major airlines—China Eastern, Air China, and China Southern—have each placed orders for 100 C919 aircraft, ensuring solid demand. However, the manufacturer must overcome industrial and geopolitical challenges to meet it.
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