How China's Comac plans to take on Boeing and Airbus

At the Singapore Airshow, exhibition halls are filled with aircraft models, simulated cockpits and interactive displays showcasing the latest advances in commercial aviation. Among them, one stand has drawn particular interest: Comac, China's state-owned aircraft manufacturer.

Comac has made notable progress since its C919 passenger jet flew to Singapore two years ago, marking its first journey outside China. Designed to rival Airbus's A320neo and Boeing's 737 MAX, the aircraft is increasingly being promoted to markets beyond China, reports the BBC.

For Comac, the Singapore Airshow offers an opportunity to present itself as a future challenger to the long-dominant Airbus-Boeing duopoly in the Asia-Pacific region - the world's fastest-growing aviation market - at a time when airlines are struggling with aircraft shortages, delivery delays and supply chain disruptions.

"I think over time Comac will become a global competitor, but it will take years," Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), told the BBC.

"In 10 or 15 years, we'll likely be talking about Boeing, Airbus and Comac together."

Industry analysts say the region urgently needs another aircraft manufacturer. Airlines across Asia-Pacific have been affected by delays at both Boeing and Airbus, compounded by engine shortages and broader supply chain constraints. Trade tensions and tariff uncertainties have added further pressure to manufacturers and airlines alike.

According to IATA data, airlines worldwide are waiting longer than ever for new aircraft, pushing up the average age of fleets and increasing costs, as older planes burn more fuel. Walsh said Asia-Pacific airlines could achieve double-digit growth in 2026 if enough aircraft were available. "The waiting time between ordering a plane and receiving it is now around seven years, which is incredibly frustrating," he said.

This situation has helped position Comac as an alternative option. More than 150 Comac aircraft are currently in service within China, while its planes are also flying in Laos, Indonesia and Vietnam. Brunei's GallopAir has placed a significant order, and Cambodia has indicated plans to acquire around 20 aircraft.

"We need more suppliers," said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). "This industry operates as an oligopoly, and at times almost a duopoly. Comac's entry is long overdue and very welcome."

Strong backing from the Chinese government and comparatively lower prices could make Comac aircraft attractive, particularly to low-cost carriers in developing markets.

Mike Szucs, chief executive of Philippines-based budget airline Cebu Pacific, told the BBC that while Comac is not yet an immediate option, it could become one in the next decade. "Once certification hurdles are cleared in the 2030s, it could be a compelling choice for us and other airlines," he said.

Beyond Asia-Pacific, Comac is also pursuing European certification, with regulators already conducting test flights of the C919. Approval would allow the company to sell aircraft to European airlines, though officials say certification could take until 2028 or even the early 2030s.

Significant challenges remain, including integrating Chinese and Western components, developing global maintenance and repair networks, and establishing pilot training systems—areas where Airbus and Boeing benefit from decades of experience.

Comac also faces competition in the region from Brazil's Embraer, which has secured orders from carriers such as Scoot, Virgin Australia and Japan's ANA.

Meanwhile, Airbus and Boeing continue to dominate the region and maintain a strong presence at the Singapore Airshow. Both manufacturers have signalled that delivery delays, which have plagued airlines in recent years, may soon begin to ease.

Despite Comac's claim of more than 1,000 orders for the C919 from Chinese airlines, only around a dozen aircraft have been delivered so far. Verifying these figures is difficult, as Comac is state-owned and not publicly listed.

Unless Comac can overcome certification, infrastructure and delivery challenges, analysts say Airbus and Boeing are likely to retain control of Asia-Pacific skies for the foreseeable future, the BBC reports.