Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac is contemplating establishing its inaugural offices in Asia beyond mainland China, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move is part of its strategy to promote its C919 single-aisle jet internationally and enhance its competitiveness against Airbus and Boeing.
Commercial Aircraft Corp of China may make an announcement about an office in Hong Kong as soon as next month, one person said, asking not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly. The city is seen as an attractive option due to its familiarity and location, the person said, adding that Comac may make a commitment in late October around aircraft maintenance in Hong Kong as well.
Comac is also evaluating real estate opportunities in Singapore, with Suntec City, located near the city-state’s central business district, being a potential site, though no final decisions have been made. These efforts are aimed at persuading international airlines to purchase Comac’s C919, which competes directly with Airbus’s A320 and Boeing’s 737. The established giants already have a global network of sales and maintenance facilities, along with extensive supply chain and spare parts support at virtually every airport worldwide.
Comac, on the other hand, has a minimal presence outside China and has yet to secure any international buyers for the C919, which also lacks certification from foreign safety regulators and therefore cannot operate commercially beyond China. Hong Kong and Singapore were the first international locations chosen by Comac to display the C919. The jet was showcased at the Singapore Airshow in February and performed a low-altitude flyover of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in December of the previous year.
Expanding its presence outside China would enable Comac to be nearer to airlines in Southeast Asia operating its smaller ARJ-21 jet, such as TransNusa in Indonesia and, eventually, Brunei’s GallopAir. Since its initial delivery in December 2022, Comac has supplied nine C919 jets to three Chinese carriers: China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines. Air China and China Southern received their jets during a joint delivery ceremony.