Chinese airframer COMAC has carried over 8.4 million passengers on its C919 narrowbody airliner across 27 cities since commercial entry in May 2023. However, production output in 2026 lags significantly behind airline expectations.
Through September 2026, Chinese carriers have accepted only 11 C919 aircraft against the 33 airframes planned for delivery this year. China Southern Airlines inducted five units, while China Eastern Airlines and Air China received three aircraft each. Meeting last year's tally of 15 deliveries would require four additional handovers before December ends. The latest commercial delivery involved a C919-100STD registered B-65AY, transferred to China Southern Airlines on September 25.
COMAC attributes the slower assembly cadence to labor shortages and component delays from overseas contractors, notably regarding CFM International LEAP-1C powerplants. Deliveries began with just three aircraft in the first quarter of 2026 before seeing irregular progress.
Alongside commercial deliveries, COMAC flew the prototype of its shortened C919-600 variant, registered B-002U, on July 29 for high-altitude operational trials. The manufacturer is also developing the stretched C919-800. Additionally, its C909 regional jet, previously designated ARJ21, crossed 41 million passengers transported since entering commercial service in 2016.
Why it matters for your training
Fleet expansion delays directly affect airline crew rostering, narrowbody type rating demand, and fleet entry schedules for operating flight crews.
