Comac Makes Dubai Airshow Debut

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is making its Middle East debut at the Dubai Airshow this week, as the Shanghai-based manufacturer seeks to foster “deeper cooperative relationships with global customers and partners.”

A China Southern Airlines C919 narrowbody airliner features alongside a Comac C909 business jet variant in the static lineup, and a second C919 is performing in the daily flying display. 

Originally introduced as the ARJ21, the standard C909 regional jet seats up to 97 passengers in a single-class layout or 78 in a dual-class layout. The business jet variant, the C909 CBJ, accommodates up to 29 passengers. A selection of models inside the exhibition hall indicates the C909’s potential as a medical services, firefighting, emergency management, and converted freighters. 

China Southern Airlines' C919 on the airshow's static display has a 164-seat three-class cabin layout. According to Comac, its interior is designed “in an elegant Chinese style, like walking in the light.”

To date, more than 170 C909 business jets and 26 C919 airliners have been delivered, although no Comac aircraft have been certified by regulatory authorities outside China.

The Chinese state-owned airframer also states that its C929 widebody aircraft, projected to have a range of 12,000 km (6,497 nm) and a standard configuration of 280 seats, is “steadily progressing in its development.”