These three countries are COMAC’s next customers, with conditions.

China’s first domestically developed commercial aircraft, the C919, has carried over one million passengers since entering service, highlighting its growing appeal among airlines.

Building on this success, Shanghai-based COMAC is now targeting international markets, seeking orders from airlines in Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia.

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COMAC is making bold moves to expand beyond its home market, engaging in high-level discussions with leading airlines. Among its key targets is Indonesia’s Garuda, whose new CEO, Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, is in the market for as many as 70 new aircraft to modernize the carrier’s fleet.

While Garuda is also negotiating with industry giants Boeing and Airbus, COMAC offers a unique value proposition: faster delivery schedules and competitive pricing. This comes at a time when Boeing and Airbus face supply chain bottlenecks and production delays, with narrowbody aircraft orders backlogged until beyond 2030.

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In addition to Indonesia, COMAC is reaching out to potential partners in Cambodia and Kazakhstan. Preliminary discussions have taken place with SCAT Airlines in Kazakhstan and Angkor Air in Cambodia.

Angkor Air, which counts Chinese company Xing Gang Investment Group as a major shareholder, presents a strategic opportunity for COMAC to leverage its existing ties. Both airlines are exploring the comac c919 as a cost-effective and efficient alternative c919 vs a320 to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, the dominant players in the global narrowbody market.

The timing of COMAC’s international push couldn’t be more opportune. Supply chain disruptions and quality issues at Boeing, coupled with limited production slots at Airbus, have created a window for the Chinese planemaker to gain traction.

Airlines are increasingly considering the c919 as they face delays in fleet renewals with existing suppliers. With its ability to seat 158–192 passengers and a growing track record of reliability, the c919 aircraft is emerging as a strong contender in the global aviation market.

COMAC’s success in securing orders from Garuda, SCAT Airlines, or Angkor Air would mark a significant step forward for the company. It would not only enhance the C919’s credibility but also demonstrate the rising competitiveness of China’s aviation industry on the global stage.