- The Comac C919 is not significantly different from what Airbus and Boeing already have on the market and is “not particularly disruptive,” said Christian Scherer, chief executive officer of Airbus' commercial aircraft business.
- “It's a little bit like an Airbus narrowbody,” Scherer said, noting that the C919 is “not that different” from what Airbus and Boeing already have on the market.
A Civil Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) C919 aircraft operated by China Eastern Airlines during the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
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SINGAPORE — China's domestically built airliner may become the latest challenger to Airbus and Boeing's jetliners, but Airbus executives say they are not worried.
Christian Scherer, chief executive officer of Airbus' commercial aircraft division, told a media roundtable on the sidelines of the Singapore Air Show that the Comac C919 “isn't going to cause much of a stir.”
“It's a little bit like an Airbus narrowbody,” Scherer said, noting that the C919 is “not that different” from what Airbus and Boeing already have on the market.
Scherer acknowledged that C919 was a “legitimate effort” by China, but said: “The market is big enough to compete and we welcome competition.”
“We're not going to stick our heads in the sand… It's normal for there to be more competition,” Scherer added.
A Comac spokesperson did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Touted as a competitor to Boeing's 737 and Airbus 320, the Comac C919 is a narrow-body jet developed by the China Civil Aviation Corporation (Comac). It received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in September 2022 and began commercial operations with China Eastern Airlines in May last year.
The Comac C919 uses the same engine as Airbus' narrow-body airliner, the Airbus A320neo, and is powered by the CFM International LEAP engine.
Commack announced on the sidelines of Tuesday's air show that it had signed a deal with China's Tibet Airlines, finalizing an order for 40 C919 jets and 10 ARJ21 jets from the Chinese aircraft maker.
The ARJ21 jet is a short to medium range turbofan aircraft that can fly shorter distances and is used for regional flights.
Although the C919 has only been certified by Chinese authorities, industry experts say it could become an early competitor to Boeing and Airbus' civil aviation monopoly.
Chris Olin, an analyst at North Coast Research, previously told CNBC: “Industry participants we spoke to believe Boeing, and in particular the 737 Max issues, present an early opportunity for Comac. ” he said.
—CNBC's Nessa Anwar contributed to this article.
