Labor shortages are now exacerbating engine supply disruptions, further slowing production of China’s C919 narrowbody jet at COMAC’s Shanghai facility. Partially completed airframes sit idle awaiting Leap-1C engines, the sole certified powerplant, amid global aerospace bottlenecks.
COMAC executives and technicians have made repeated visits to CFM International’s Paris-area plant to prioritize engine deliveries from GE Aerospace and Safran. These efforts underscore the program’s heavy reliance on Western components despite over 1,000 orders and 38 jets in service as of early 2026.
Geopolitical tensions and U.S. export license suspensions have intensified supply chain risks, prompting COMAC to reassess vulnerabilities. Youth unemployment at 16.9% in March signals broader workforce challenges impacting skilled labor availability for manufacturing.
Domestic alternatives like the Yangtze-1000A engine, which completed C919 verification flights in March 2025 with performance exceeding expectations, offer a path to independence. The AES100 has secured production licenses, signaling progress toward a ‘Chinese heart’ for large aircraft.
These delays hinder COMAC’s ambitions to challenge Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 fleets, particularly without FAA or EASA certification limiting operations to China. Global shortages could cost airlines over $11 billion in 2025, amplifying competitive pressures as Airbus ramps up Chinese production.