COMAC’s C919 is drawing fresh interest from Chinese carriers, with Shenzhen Airlines and Loong Air signalling plans to add the narrowbody as demand for the home-grown jet outpaces the manufacturer’s production capacity. Executives from both airlines voiced interest at an aviation forum in Guangzhou, underscoring how the programme’s commercial momentum is being constrained by supply-chain limits and slower-than-needed assembly rates.
Shenzhen Airlines wants to fly the C919 in the near future, but supply-chain issues and production speed remain obstacles. Loong Air, meanwhile, is expanding its fleet and is also looking closely at the aircraft. Neither carrier has disclosed a firm order, leaving the interest at an exploratory stage for now.
The latest comments come as the C919 gains visibility across China’s market, including its first scheduled international commercial service earlier in August. Even so, the aircraft remains dependent on a complex supply chain, and industry executives have pointed to shortages in components as well as wider production constraints, not just engine availability. The result is a clear mismatch between growing airline appetite and COMAC’s ability to deliver aircraft quickly enough.