Production of China's C919 aircraft has slowed down

Deliveries of China's C919 narrow-body aircraft are falling behind schedule. In the first three months of 2026, COMAC delivered only three airliners to customers: China Southern received two in February and March, and Air China received one at the end of March. This was reported by Ixbt.com xabar.

No deliveries were made in January.

The primary issue remains a dependency on foreign components, particularly the LEAP-1C engines produced by the CFM consortium, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran. According to industry sources, some completed aircraft are awaiting engine installation, while the engines themselves are delayed due to a shortage of key components, including fan blades.

Since commercial deliveries began in December 2022, COMAC has delivered a total of 35 C919 aircraft to customers. In 2025, the company delivered 15 units, which is an increase compared to 2024, but significantly lower than the initial plan to produce 75 aircraft per year.

For 2026, COMAC plans to increase production to approximately 28 airliners, but current dynamics cast doubt on these targets.

The C919 is of strategic importance to China: it is the first Chinese medium-haul airliner designed to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Therefore, scaling up serial production is critical not only for COMAC but for the country's entire aviation industry.