China's aircraft manufacturer COMAC falters on delivery targets

The Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC is facing challenges that affect its originally targeted delivery goals for the C919 narrow-body aircraft. According to reports from China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern, the three airlines operating the model, production is significantly lagging. While 32 aircraft of this type were initially expected for the current year, only five units were delivered by COMAC as of September. These figures are based on the airlines' financial reports as well as data from ch-aviation and Flightradar24. According to media reports, COMAC has lowered its production targets for the year to 25 units, after previously aiming for 75. In January, COMAC announced plans to increase production to 30 aircraft and expand annual capacity to 50 units by 2025. In March, the target was even raised to 75 units. These ambitious plans are in the context of an intended competition with Western aviation giants such as Airbus and Boeing, which produce dozens of their A320neo and 737 MAX models per month. A significant setback for COMAC this year was the temporary import ban on CFM engines by the United States between June and July amid escalating trade conflicts. The aircraft manufacturer heavily relies on foreign parts, which poses a significant risk in Chinese aircraft production. The C919 does not yet have central certification by Western aviation authorities and has received orders mainly from Chinese customers as well as two airlines in Brunei and Cambodia. An analysis consultancy expects that COMAC will exhibit more moderate growth in the coming years, with a forecast production accumulation of 18 aircraft in 2025 up to 45 in 2027.