[中 항공 굴기]
‘Big 3’ unveiled at Singapore Air Show
A contract for 1,200 units was achieved despite US sanctions… “Ambition to compete with Boeing and Airbus”
China spurs leap forward with large-scale domestic demand… Analysis of “Western checks increase competitiveness”
The topic of the ‘Singapore Air Show 2024’, which opened at Singapore Changi International Airport on the 20th (local time), was definitely ‘C919’. The C919 is the first medium-sized passenger aircraft developed by China’s state-owned enterprise, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), with the goal of becoming an aviation manufacturing powerhouse in 2008. This is the first time C919 has appeared on the international stage. Aviation industry and military officials from various countries surrounded the C919 and took a series of photos and videos.
Despite the United States’ checks, China is increasing its scientific and technological independence by introducing its first mid-size passenger aircraft developed with its own technology to the international stage. Comack displayed the C919 at the Singapore Air Show, which is considered one of the world’s three largest air shows along with the Paris Air Show in France and the Farnborough Air Show in the UK. China has entered the international passenger aircraft market dominated by France’s Airbus and America’s Boeing in earnest.
C919 is a model that competes with Boeing’s ‘B737′ and Airbus’ ‘A320 Neo’. The seating capacity is approximately 150 to 190, and there is one aisle in the center of the plane. It can fly up to 5555 km. C919 succeeded in its first flight in 2017, but faced a crisis as the conflict between the United States and China intensified. In 2020, the U.S. government hinted at the possibility of disallowing engine technology exports, and in 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce placed Cormack on the export control list. This is because the connection between Comack and the Chinese military is suspected and American technology could be misused militarily.
However, thanks to China’s determination, C919s are being used on domestic flights by China’s Dongfang Airlines, and are producing results. According to the industry, the C919 contract quantity exceeds 1,200 units. An official from an aircraft manufacturing company we met at the air show said, “The interior is comfortable and doesn’t seem to be much different from other aircraft. A few years ago, I was skeptical about whether the C919 would be able to fly, but now I’m interested in how many more units will be delivered in the future.” He said. In relation to this, CNN reported on the 19th (local time), “The C919 is a symbol of China’s ‘Made in China’ strategy to reduce dependence on foreign countries,” and “It reveals its ambition to compete with Boeing and Airbus.”
On the other hand, no aircraft displayed by Boeing could be found at this air show. At the Boeing booth, only an indoor mock-up of the ‘B777X’ aircraft, scheduled for first commercial operation around 2025, was on display. Boeing has been a regular at the Singapore Air Show, but this year it did not display an actual passenger aircraft. It is interpreted that the scale of participation in the air show was reduced as Boeing’s ‘B737-9 MAX’ was embroiled in various quality controversies early this year, including an accident in which the door of the aircraft was ripped off mid-flight. An aviation industry official who met at the scene said, “Boeing sold about 240 aircraft at the Dubai Air Show held in November last year, but it is unusual for it not to appear at the air show held just three months later.” He added, “It appears that China is trying to squeeze in the gap where Boeing was stagnant.” “He said.
Currently, the limitations of C919 are clear. It has not yet received approval for operation from the United States and the European Union (EU). As a result, the places where you can fly are limited, except for China and some countries. There is also an analysis that the United States and Europe will use ‘operation approval’ as a weapon to keep China in check. Another problem that needs to be solved is that China is still dependent on the United States and Europe for key components. The engine, which is considered the most difficult aircraft equipment to develop technology, uses the ‘LEAP’ from CFM International, a joint venture between the US and France.
However, China can sufficiently operate the C919 in the domestic market alone. As flight records are accumulated over a long period of time, the likelihood of receiving flight certification from the United States and Europe increases one day. Local production of C919 parts, including the fuselage, wings, electronics, and materials, is also progressing at a rapid pace. The number of domestic companies related to C919, which was only a few dozen at the beginning of development, has increased to about 200. There is also an analysis that as the checks in developed countries increase, the domestic ecosystem is being created more quickly. Mike Yeomans, director of valuation at aviation consulting firm IBA, told Reuters: “The C919 has a particularly strong opportunity to gain share in its home market,” adding, “It will also accelerate its expansion into international markets.” .
Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University’s Department of Business Administration, said, “China’s scientific and technological competitiveness is increasing, and its independence in various fields such as aviation and semiconductors is increasing.” “We need to develop it and make a breakthrough,” he said.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.