COMAC’s C919 Jet Deliveries Fall Short, Exposing Supply Chain Bottlenecks

China's ambition to compete with Western aviation giants has hit a roadblock, as state-owned manufacturer COMAC falls behind on its delivery targets for the C919 commercial jet. According to regulatory filings from the three airlines operating the aircraft—China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern—only five planes have been delivered this year, despite an expectation for 32.

Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that COMAC has significantly reduced its own production target for the year, from a previous goal of 75 jets to just 25. This sharp revision highlights critical bottlenecks throughout the supply chain, which are hindering the company's ability to maintain a steady production pace.

A key vulnerability for the C919 program is its reliance on foreign parts, particularly the CFM engines. The United States temporarily suspended exports of these engines between June and July, escalating trade tensions. This dependence on American suppliers, which also include firms providing avionics and flight-control systems, has exposed a strategic weakness for the Chinese manufacturer.

While the C919 has secured orders from domestic customers and two airlines in Brunei and Cambodia, it has yet to receive crucial certifications from major Western aviation regulators. According to aviation consultancy IBA, COMAC’s production targets are seen as ambitious. The consultancy forecasts a more gradual delivery schedule, with around 18 C919s in 2025 and 25 in 2026, increasing to about 45 by 2027.

COMAC's struggles come as it tries to challenge the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing, which produce dozens of their single-aisle jets each month.