Orders of China’s C919 jet could face delays over engine supply snags

Deliveries of China’s first narrowbody passenger jet to the top three domestic airlines could be falling behind schedule, according to company financial reports, raising market speculation regarding potential disruptions to the model’s engine supply.

Air China and China Eastern Airlines received one C919 aircraft each in the first half of the year despite their stated goals of adding 10 apiece in 2025, according to the reports.

China Southern Airlines’ reports said the carrier expects 12 of the single-aisle jets this year, but that it had “financially leased” a total of just three as of June, with no mention of ownership.

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), which develops the single-aisle passenger jet designed to rival the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families, received orders for hundreds of units from the three state-owned airlines in 2024.

The Shanghai-based firm, which aims to break into a market dominated by the two Western giants, had been making progress on that score with more than 2 million passengers transported on the C919 since the jet’s maiden commercial flight in May 2023.

Comac might be hitting a bit of turbulence in its effort to secure engines for the model, independent aviation analyst Li Hanming said.

South China Morning Post