The Western certification of the COMAC C919 has taken a step as quiet as it is significant. Test pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have begun evaluation flights of the aircraft in Shanghai, marking a technical and political milestone on the long road of the Chinese commercial jet towards international validation.
According to sources with direct knowledge of the process who spoke to the South China Morning Post, two EASA test pilots conducted verification flights in November from Pudong Airport, very close to the program’s production base. EASA later confirmed the information.
This is a clear signal that the technical dialogue between the European regulator and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has entered a more visible and demanding phase.
Test Flights: The Core of European Certification
The flights conducted by EASA fall within the third stage of the European certification regime, a four-phase process in which the aircraft must demonstrate, in real flight, compliance with safety requirements. This stage evaluates extreme maneuvers, stalls, performance in adverse weather conditions, and the aircraft’s overall response in extreme scenarios.
An aviation and logistics analyst, Jason Li Hanming, emphasized the importance of these tests: “Probably the most visible part of the certification process.”
According to one of the sources, the initial assessment was positive: EASA considered the aircraft “good and safe,” although some minor issues related to its newness were detected and required minor adjustments.
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Software, Human Factors, and CRM Under Scrutiny
Beyond aerodynamics and systems, EASA’s focus has expanded to human factors and crew-aircraft interaction. COMAC has incorporated Western pilots who work for Chinese airlines to operate C919 simulators and participate in the technical dialogue with the regulator.
This work is part of the mandatory Crew Resource Management (CRM) evaluation for EASA in type certification processes. According to one source, the initial CRM review was passed satisfactorily, although there will be further rounds of analysis.
During these inspections, some software issues related to the human-machine interface were identified, but with no hardware implications. The necessary corrections, it was indicated, would be “minor adjustments.”
An Operational Aircraft, But Still Geographically Limited
The C919, conceived as a direct rival to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, has been in domestic operation for over two years. Since entering service in May 2023, it has carried four million passengers within China without notable incidents.
However, the lack of Western certification remains the main obstacle to its international expansion and to reinforcing its credibility outside the Chinese market. In this context, the direct involvement of EASA takes on obvious strategic weight.
Long Timelines and Realistic Expectations
Despite the progress, the timeline remains conservative. Last May, EASA’s Executive Director, Florian Guillermet, was explicit in tempering expectations: “The C919 cannot be certified in 2025. We should certify it within a period of three to six years.”
Guillermet, however, was optimistic about the final outcome and highlighted COMAC’s effort, noting that the manufacturer is dedicating significant resources, determination, and technical capabilities to the process.
The final outcome is not yet written. But the process, for the first time, is being played out on the same field that Airbus and Boeing know well.
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