Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has drastically reduced its delivery target for the C919 jet, China’s homegrown competitor to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max, from 75 to approximately 25 aircraft for 2025, according to sources familiar with the matter. This significant cut, a reduction of two-thirds, underscores persistent challenges in Comac’s ambition to rival global aviation giants Boeing and Airbus.
The Shanghai-based planemaker has faced severe supply chain bottlenecks affecting nearly all critical components, hampering its ability to maintain a consistent production pace. A key setback occurred in July when the United States halted export permits for engine parts supplied by GE Aerospace, a major supplier for the C919. Comac relies heavily on U.S. firms, including Honeywell International Inc., GE Aerospace, and Parker-Hannifin Corp., for essential avionics, flight-control systems, and engines. Representatives for Comac did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The supply chain disruptions appear to have caught Comac off guard. Earlier this year, the company had raised its delivery target from 50 to 75 aircraft, buoyed by optimism about potential orders from regions such as the Middle East and Vietnam. However, only five C919 jets have been delivered in 2025 to China’s “Big Three” airlines—China Eastern Airlines Corp., China Southern Airlines Co., and Air China Ltd.—along with one to an internal Comac subsidiary for charter flights. These carriers had anticipated receiving 32 C919s this year.
The C919, designed to seat 158 to 192 passengers, has secured robust domestic orders from Chinese airlines but has yet to achieve airworthiness certification from international regulators, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. This lack of global certification has limited its appeal abroad. Despite intensified efforts, Comac has struggled to secure buyers in South and Southeast Asia, further complicating its international expansion plans.
The sharp reduction in delivery targets highlights the significant hurdles Comac faces in scaling production and competing in the global aviation market, as supply chain issues and regulatory barriers continue to impede its progress.
