China’s aviation sector to aim higher after the C919
- Visit of China’s first home-made passenger jet to Hong Kong marks merely the first step for country’s plane-making industry
Air travel has long since been overtaken by international space exploration, but low-level fly-pasts over Victoria Harbour by China’s first home-made passenger jet at the weekend showcased progress towards what would still be one of the country’s greatest achievements – a fully independent aircraft industry.
Hundreds of Hongkongers gathered at the harbour to see the flyover at 1,000 feet, after the aircraft had been showcased for five days for visitors at Hong Kong International Airport.
This came six months after the C919 single-aisle, narrow-bodied plane completed its first commercial flight, from Shanghai to Beijing with 130 passengers, marking the emergence of a rival for the American Boeing 737 and the European Airbus A320, the workhorses of global passenger traffic.
The manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), is now seen as a future competitor with the big two for deals in the international market.
That will be part of the “Chinese dream” come true. But a lot will depend on the record of the C919 in the home market, which will be closely watched.
Meanwhile, the country remains dependent on a foreign-made fleet, reflecting obstacles faced in the development and manufacture of high-end aircraft.
The C919 was assembled in China, but many parts – including the engine – were imported. A locally developed engine is still years away, according to industry sources.
Penetration of the aviation market is expected to be gradual, with Hong Kong set to play a role as a regional and global hub.
Sky’s the limit: China to develop high-altitude version of C919 passenger jet
The government said the visit would strengthen the city’s position as an aviation hub, along with actively collaborating with other airports in the Greater Bay Area.
The plan envisages gradual expansion of the aircraft industry similar to that of the country’s high-speed railway technology.
China will aim to push step by step into the areas with which it has the closest and most frequent contact, eventually making Comac the third competitor in the global aviation sector.
The next step will be to build a bigger, twin-aisle aircraft to really challenge foreign dominance of China’s market – a bigger test, given that Beijing aims to reduce dependence on foreign technology.
