COMAC C919 Begins European Certification

In a critical move to the development of COMAC’s commercial aircraft portfolio, the European Aviation Union Safety Agency has commenced crucial test flights aboard the high-profile C919.

The EASA, as flagged by The Post, is jumping aboard test flights, with two flights already having conducted verification flights according to sources close to the matter in Shanghai.

For COMAC, this move is part of a make-or-break effort to secure approval for its commercial aircraft portfolio in Western markets, as it aims to be the solution to ongoing pressures and bottlenecks across Airbus and Boeing.

Sources note that COMAC and the EASA have been in a more consistent open dialogue over recent months, which has not only included the test flights from Shanghai Pudong Airport but also surface-level discussions about the possible approval of these planes.

While progress is slow, it’s important to note that it’s being made. The first steps to getting COMAC’s planes approved, or even considered for approval, are open dialogue, flight testing, and the presence of EASA pilots in Shanghai.

The same sources of the Post, which identified details of the flight tests, confirmed that the EASA had approved the aircraft as safe and sound, but with some teething problems that required fundamental tweaks to fix.

Why EASA Approval Is Huge For COMAC

The possibility of COMAC receiving EASA approval for this aircraft to debut across Europe would be huge for the Chinese planemaker in its efforts to compete with Airbus and Boeing for market share.

The C919 is directly pitted against the popular Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families; however, with a weaker backlog, the availability of this single-aisle jet is wide open, presenting a lucrative opportunity for airlines that need capacity sooner than the early 2030s.

However, while COMAC has made sales pushes and opened discussions with certain airlines, progress cannot be made solely because of the lack of certification from the West, which prevents international flying and the debut of these jets.

Airbus acknowledges the presence of COMAC, believing the planemaker is a competitor that must be taken seriously. It notes that all businesses start from somewhere and struggle in their launch, but that doesn’t mean they should be disregarded.

If COMAC were to secure approval from the EASA, it would provide the neccesary backing to get airline customers over the line to commit possibly.

But while certification is one thing, getting airlines to commit to the C919 or other aircraft amid the adversity and many doubts surrounding manufacturing will be another challenge in itself, COMAC would say—one step at a time.

Why Does COMAC Have Doubters?

While there’s much anticipation about the possible debut of COMAC across the Western part of the industry, many remain sceptical about its adoption and certification.

Onlookers would point towards the certification across major international markets as one of the biggest roadblocks. While the manufacturer aims to address this, it’s not something that can be achieved overnight and is a lengthy process.

For other airlines, there’s also a significant level of commitment to COMAC-produced jets, as best illustrated by Korean Air. While the aircraft were not inherently bad, committing to these aircraft over Airbus and Boeing could not be justified right now.

Furthermore, with a customer base that remains small, whatever airline eventually adopts these planes across a Western market would be taking a giant leap of faith by seeking approval.

Any adoption would come with risks, ranging from the spare parts market to support and management of the fleet. Those risks are not present with aircraft like Airbus or Boeing, which are thus perceived as safer options.

Despite this, the Chinese planemaker is committed to becoming a genuine alternative for airlines seeking to evolve their single-aisle flying with an efficient aircraft that is available sooner, thus a genuine disruptor in a long-established sector.