China must solve its jet engine puzzle to challenge Airbus, Boeing

Core Viewpoint - China aims to become a significant player in commercial aviation, particularly in jet engine manufacturing, which is crucial for its ambitions in the aerospace sector [1] Group 1: China's Commercial Aviation Ambitions - China has long sought to be a major competitor in the aerospace industry, aspiring to be the "C" in the ABCs of aerospace alongside Airbus and Boeing [1] - The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd. (Comac) is leading the push for self-sufficiency in aviation, with a goal to deliver a significant number of C919 jets [2][3] Group 2: Challenges Faced by Comac - Comac's delivery targets for the C919 have been significantly reduced due to geopolitical tensions, resulting in only 15 deliveries in 2025, which is 80% short of the original target [3] - The company relies on engines from CFM International, which has impacted its production capabilities [3] Group 3: Industry Backlogs and Demand - The aviation industry is experiencing unprecedented backlogs, with Airbus and Boeing struggling to meet demand despite record-high air travel [4][5] - Nearly 80% of anticipated new plane deliveries in the next two decades will be single-aisle aircraft, including the C919, indicating a strong market demand [5] Group 4: Development of Homegrown Engine - The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) is focused on developing a domestic engine for the C919, which is essential for China's industrial strategy [6] - The CJ-1000A engine has been in development since 2007, with expectations for commercial availability by 2030 at the earliest [7][8] Group 5: Future Projections and Market Position - Comac is projected to deliver a total of 86 C919s by 2030, but this is still far from the 240 annual deliveries needed to compete effectively with Airbus and Boeing [11] - The relationship between the US and China remains fragile, impacting the future of engine sales and the competitive landscape in commercial aviation [12]