Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Comac’s C919 Surge Challenges Airbus-Boeing Duopoly
China’s Comac ramps C919 production to 75 aircraft by 2025, challenging Airbus-Boeing dominance amid global supply chain shifts and certification hurdles.
Comac’s C919 Production Surge: Reshaping Global Aviation
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has emerged as a pivotal player in global aerospace manufacturing with its ambitious C919 production ramp-up. This single-aisle jet represents China’s most significant challenge yet to the Airbus-Boeing duopoly, with production targets now increased to 75 aircraft in 2025 – a 50% boost from previous plans. This strategic move coincides with Western manufacturers grappling with supply chain constraints, creating a unique window for China’s aviation ambitions.
Comac’s production expansion signals more than just industrial scaling; it reflects China’s determination to reduce foreign aerospace dependence. With 16 C919s already operational in domestic routes and 27 more scheduled for 2025 delivery, the program has transitioned from prototype testing to commercial reality. The manufacturer’s procurement budget surge to 34 billion yuan ($4.7 billion) underscores the program’s strategic priority in China’s tech development agenda.
Accelerating Domestic Production Capacity
Comac’s Shanghai facilities are undergoing rapid transformation to meet revised targets. The company plans to achieve 100 aircraft annually by 2026, leveraging expanded assembly lines and enhanced supplier coordination. This growth trajectory positions Shanghai to rival traditional aviation hubs like Toulouse (Airbus) and Everett (Boeing) within a decade.
The production boost addresses substantial domestic demand, with China’s “Big Three” airlines – Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern – each holding orders exceeding 100 C919s. Industry analysts note this captive market provides Comac with guaranteed baseline production through 2031, even before considering international sales.
“Comac’s 70% year-on-year procurement cost increase shows the intensity of their scaling efforts. They’re essentially building an entire aviation ecosystem from scratch,” observes Aviation Week’s manufacturing analyst.
International Certification Challenges
While domestic operations expand, Comac faces significant hurdles in global market penetration. The C919 currently only holds Chinese certification, with European EASA and American FAA approvals remaining elusive. Comac Deputy General Manager Shen Bo emphasizes certification as a strategic priority, but industry experts suggest this process could take 5-7 years given geopolitical tensions.
The company’s ARJ21 regional jet offers cautionary insights – operational since 2016 but only certified in China and Indonesia. Comac is pursuing creative partnerships to bypass certification barriers, including a notable deal with Brunei’s GallopAir for 30 aircraft. However, most international orders remain symbolic without crucial Western approvals.
Shifting Global Market Dynamics
Comac’s expansion coincides with production increases at Airbus (targeting 75 A320s/month by 2027) and Boeing’s 737 recovery efforts. While Western manufacturers still dominate narrow-body production, Comac’s 200-unit annual target for 2029 would capture 8-10% of the global market share – significant for a new entrant.
The geopolitical dimension amplifies Comac’s growth. With US-China trade tensions affecting Boeing’s China deliveries (0 737 MAXs delivered in 2023), Chinese airlines face increasing pressure to support domestic manufacturers. This dynamic creates a protected market environment for Comac’s initial scaling phase.
Future Trajectory and Industry Implications
Comac’s progress suggests the C919 could become Asia’s default narrow-body option within a decade, particularly for nations seeking alternatives to Western manufacturers. The company’s Vietnam outreach and Indonesia certification indicate a “Belt and Road” aviation strategy mirroring China’s broader economic initiatives.
However, technical challenges persist. The C919 still relies on foreign suppliers for critical components like CFM International LEAP engines. While Comac is developing the CJ-1000A domestic engine, this replacement won’t enter service until 2030 at earliest, maintaining Western leverage over production.
“Comac isn’t just building planes – they’re building an alternative aerospace supply chain. Every C919 delivered reduces China’s aviation import dependency by $120 million,” notes a CAPA Aviation report.
Conclusion
Comac’s production surge marks a new phase in global aviation competition. While the C919 currently serves domestic needs, its scaling demonstrates China’s capacity for complex manufacturing ecosystems. The 75-aircraft target for 2025, while modest compared to Airbus/Boeing outputs, shows credible progress toward becoming a third viable option in narrow-body markets.
The coming decade will test Comac’s ability to transition from protected domestic operator to global competitor. Success depends on overcoming certification barriers, developing indigenous technologies, and maintaining political support. As the aviation industry enters its most competitive phase since the 1970s, Comac’s trajectory could reshape aerospace manufacturing geopolitics.
FAQ
What’s the C919’s current production rate?
Comac delivered 5 C919s in 2023 and plans 50+ in 2025, scaling to 200 annually by 2029.
How does the C919 compare to Airbus/Boeing models?
It competes directly with A320neo and 737 MAX, offering comparable range (2,200-3,000 nm) and seating (158-192 passengers).
When will the C919 receive international certifications?
EASA certification is estimated for 2028-2030, contingent on geopolitical factors and technical evaluations.
Sources:
Aviation Week,
South China Morning Post,
Aviacionline,
Mexico Business News
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
AerCap Leases Two Boeing 777-300ERSF to Turkish Airlines
AerCap finalizes lease of two Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters to Turkish Airlines, with deliveries scheduled for 2027.
AerCap Holdings N.V. has finalized lease agreements with Turkish Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters, with deliveries scheduled between March and September 2027.
Announced on October 29, 2026, the transaction expands the Turkish flag carrier’s dedicated cargo capacity while utilizing Etihad Engineering’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Abu Dhabi for the passenger-to-freighter (P2F) modifications. In a press release detailing the agreement, the Dublin-based aviation lessor emphasized the strategic alignment between the aircraft’s capabilities and the airline’s expanding freight network.
Expanding Turkish Airlines’ cargo operations
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between AerCap and Turkish Airlines, which operates a large international network requiring substantial dedicated cargo lift. The addition of the two widebody freighters is intended to support the carrier’s volume requirements on high-demand international routes.
Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer at AerCap, stated that the aircraft will provide the airline with additional cargo capacity combined with the performance capabilities specific to the 777-300ERSF platform. Financial terms of the lease agreements, including the exact lease duration and the specific aircraft serial numbers, were not disclosed in the announcement.
The Big Twin conversion program
The Boeing 777-300ERSF, marketed as “The Big Twin,” is a P2F conversion program developed through a joint venture between AerCap and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It represents the first program designed to convert the Boeing 777-300ER into a dedicated freighter configuration.
According to AerCap’s cargo division, the 777-300ERSF offers 25 percent more cargo volume than the factory-built Boeing 777-200LRF. This increased capacity positions the converted twin-engine aircraft as a cost-effective replacement for aging four-engine Boeing 747 freighters currently operating in the global fleet.
AerCap delivered the first 777-300ERSF to launch customer Kalitta Air in September 2025. Since that initial delivery, the lessor has handed over aircraft to Fly Meta and secured lease agreements with other major operators, including Ethiopian Airlines and China Southern Group.
Regional conversion strategy in Abu Dhabi
The physical conversion of the two aircraft destined for Turkish Airlines will be executed at the Etihad Engineering MRO hub in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This facility serves as a dedicated regional conversion center for the 777-300ERSF program.
Anderson highlighted the strategic importance of the location, noting that the Abu Dhabi facility provides a regional platform capability that enables aircraft to be converted in the Middle East prior to delivery. This localized approach is designed to efficiently serve customers across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) market.
“The dedicated 777-300ERSF conversion facility at Etihad Engineering’s MRO hub in Abu Dhabi provides an important regional platform capability, enabling the aircraft to be converted in the Middle East ahead of delivery to Turkish Airlines,” Anderson said.
AerCap’s broader market position
The Turkish Airlines agreement follows a period of strong financial performance for AerCap. On October 28, 2026, the company reported its third-quarter financial results, citing record adjusted earnings per share and raising its full-year 2026 guidance amid high lease rates and sustained demand for aviation assets.
As of September 30, 2026, AerCap’s total portfolio included 1,537 owned and managed aircraft, alongside approximately 1,300 engines and over 300 helicopters. The company’s dedicated cargo division manages a fleet of approximately 110 owned, managed, and on-order freighters, having completed more than 160 passenger-to-freighter conversions to date.
AirPro News analysis
We view the placement of 777-300ERSF aircraft with a major network carrier like Turkish Airlines as a strong validation of the Big Twin program’s economic proposition. As operators look to phase out older Boeing 747 freighters, the 25 percent volume advantage over the 777-200LRF makes the converted 300ER an attractive middle ground between factory-built twin-engine freighters and legacy four-engine platforms. Utilizing the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi for a European customer also demonstrates the logistical efficiency of AerCap’s decentralized conversion strategy, reducing ferry times and regional friction for EMEA operators.
Photo Credit: AerCap
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
CDB Aviation Leases Additional Boeing 737-800 to Neos
CDB Aviation will deliver a Boeing 737-800 to Italian leisure carrier Neos in November 2026, expanding a partnership begun in 2021.
Irish aircraft lessor CDB Aviation will expand its existing relationship with Italian leisure carrier Neos S.p.A. by leasing the airline one additional Boeing 737-800 narrowbody aircraft. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in November 2026 and will support the carrier’s intra-European and intercontinental route networks.
The agreement, announced in an October 28, 2026, press release, builds upon a leasing partnership established between the two companies in 2021. The transaction highlights continued demand for current-generation narrowbody assets to sustain short- and medium-haul leisure operations.
Expanding the Neos narrowbody fleet
Neos, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alpitour S.p.A. based at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), operates an all-Boeing fleet. The airline currently utilizes 18 aircraft, comprising the Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, and widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The Boeing 737-800 serves as a core asset for the airline’s short- to medium-haul leisure routes. Neos deploys these narrowbody aircraft on intra-European and select intercontinental flights. This narrowbody capacity complements its widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, which is dedicated to long-haul operations across the carrier’s 85 global destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Marco Brusa, Chief Operating Officer of Neos, stated that the planned addition reflects confidence in the lessor as a trusted partner.
“We are pleased to further strengthen our partnership with CDB Aviation with the planned addition of this Boeing 737-800 to our fleet,” Brusa said. “This agreement builds on our established relationship and reflects our confidence in CDB Aviation as a trusted partner. We look forward to welcoming the aircraft and continuing our successful collaboration.”
A growing lessor-operator partnership
The commercial relationship between CDB Aviation and Neos began in 2021 with an initial agreement covering two Boeing 737-800s. CDB Aviation officially announced the delivery of those two aircraft on February 7, 2023. Those initial airframes were configured with 186 single-class seats to support the carrier’s network.
CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., operates globally from its Dublin headquarters. As of early 2025, the lessor reported a fleet of 521 owned and committed assets, with aircraft placed at 85 airlines across 40 countries.
Gavan Daly, Head of Commercial EMEA at CDB Aviation, noted the company’s satisfaction with the expanded agreement.
“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Neos through the agreement to lease this additional 737-800 from CDB Aviation’s portfolio,” Daly said.
Photo Credit: CDB Aviation
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Atlantic Airways Orders Two More A320neos for 2030 Fleet Goal
Atlantic Airways ordered two Airbus A320neos on Oct 27, 2026, targeting an exclusively neo fleet by 2030.
Atlantic Airways has committed to an exclusively next-generation fleet by 2030 following a firm order for two additional Airbus A320neo aircraft signed on October 27, 2026, in Toulouse, France. The Faroe Islands’ national carrier will use the new jets to phase out its older Airbus A320ceo models, standardizing its operations around the more fuel-efficient variant.
In a press release issued by Airbus, the manufacturer confirmed the agreement supports the airline’s strategy to streamline maintenance and reduce emissions while maintaining regional connectivity for Faroese communities. The financial terms and specific delivery dates for these two newly ordered airframes were not disclosed.
Fleet modernization and operational strategy
The transition to a single-variant fleet provides distinct economic advantages for regional operators. By standardizing on the Airbus A320neo, Atlantic Airways can simplify its maintenance planning and streamline pilot training processes. The A320neo variant delivers at least a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous-generation single-aisle aircraft.
Niels Mortensen, Chairman of the Board for Atlantic Airways, emphasized the strategic nature of the acquisition.
“Our ambition is to operate an exclusively A320neo aircraft fleet in the near future, and this agreement marks a significant step towards achieving that goal,” Mortensen said. “This investment will help ensure the continuous renewal of our fleet while supporting efficient operations.”
Airbus executives highlighted the role of the aircraft in maintaining essential transport links. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus, noted that the addition of the latest generation aircraft reinforces the airline’s commitment to regional connectivity.
Atlantic Airways’ transition timeline
The Faroe Islands flag carrier has been an Airbus customer since 2008. The airline began its current modernization program when it took delivery of its first Airbus A320neo on July 12, 2019. The carrier currently operates a fleet of four Airbus A320 Family aircraft, split evenly between two older-generation A320ceos and two A320neos.
Prior to the October 2026 announcement, Atlantic Airways already held orders for two additional A320neos. Those airframes are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029. The two newly ordered aircraft will complete the replacement cycle, allowing the airline to retire its remaining A320ceos and meet its 2030 target for an all-neo fleet.
The Airbus A320 Family remains the most popular single-aisle aircraft program globally. According to Airbus, the aircraft family has secured more than 20,400 orders from operators worldwide.
Photo Credit: Airbus
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