C919 manufacturer sets up shop in Singapore as China eyes Southeast Asia

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China opened an office in Singapore to ensure closer and more comprehensive services in the region

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An ARJ21 belonging to Indonesian airline TransNusa completed its maiden flight between Manado and the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Tuesday. Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Published: 7:00pm, 30 Oct 2024

China’s leading aircraft manufacturer opened an Asia-Pacific office in Singapore this week, marking a significant step toward challenging Boeing and Airbus in the international aviation market.

It is hoped the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) office would become a launch pad for China’s home-grown C919 narrowbody airliner and its ARJ21 regional jet in Southeast Asia.

Also on Tuesday, an ARJ21 belonging to Indonesian airline TransNusa completed its maiden 2,700km (1,678 mile) flight between Manado in Indonesia and the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, which marked the longest commercial route for China’s home-grown regional aircraft.

TransNusa is the first overseas airline to operate the ARJ21, with three in service on routes between Indonesian islands, as well Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Despite opening an office in Singapore on Monday as a strategic showroom, analysts said the state-owned aircraft manufacturer still needed to extend the reach of maintenance and tech support services beyond China.

You set up shop in a place where you are most certain to win more business

Mayur Patel, OAG Aviation

“Aircraft manufacturers of global stature all need to knit a worldwide network of offices to better support customers and pitch for orders,” said Mayur Patel, the Asia head for Singapore-based global industry data provider OAG Aviation.