Comac, the state-run maker of China's first homegrown passenger jet, is seeking certifications for it to fly beyond the country’s shores.
As of 2023, Airbus has a fairly convincing lead on the aircraft markets and the global aircraft market has been dominated for years by Airbus and Boeing which accounts for roughly 66% of the market share with others like Canada’s Bombardier and Brazil’s Embraer trying to get fair share of the market
Chinese COMAC which is the latest entrant to the market with fleets like COMAC C919 aircraft, with a 158-192 seating capacity, has already been in service with China Eastern Airlines since 2023.
So it indicates that COMAC is in contention of the Chinese aircraft market which is the third largest in the world with a total of 1,000 booked orders from Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern, according to media reports.
But COMAC has a serious obstacle to becoming a global player in the aircraft market because obtaining approval from aviation regulators in the West would not be easy due to their scepticism about Chinese manufacturers. And apart from that they don't have any technological advantage over Boeing and Airbus and also they are short of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sites and skilled technicians.
Based on my thoughts for now COMAC doesn't present as any serious threat to Boeing and Airbus but it can stake it claim in the Chinese domestic aircraft market and gain a foothold there which is an ideal starting point.
The sky is always wide enough for any bed to fly.