Southeast Asian Airlines Consider COMAC C919 to Cut Costs

Southeast Asian airlines, including Malaysia’s AirAsia and the newly established Air Borneo, are considering the Chinese-made COMAC C919 narrow-body jet as an alternative to Boeing and Airbus amid long delivery delays from the two dominant Western manufacturers. The Chinese aircraft, designed to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, is drawing increased attention for its lower cost and shorter delivery timelines.

“There is currently a long wait for the delivery of aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. All airlines are looking for faster deliveries and more affordable options. COMAC is one of the manufacturers under consideration,” said Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport, Malaysia.

Although Loke emphasized that “nothing is confirmed” with AirAsia, he noted that Air Borneo has shown specific interest in the C919. The new airline, backed by the Sarawak state government, plans to begin operations by the end of 2025.

This interest aligns with the joint declaration signed by Malaysia and China in April 2025, in which both governments pledged to support the adoption of Chinese commercial aircraft by Malaysian airlines.

The C919, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is a narrow-body aircraft with a seating capacity of 158 to 192 passengers. It is part of China’s broader strategy to establish itself as a global player in the aerospace sector, offering alternatives to the Western duopoly. The aircraft’s main competitive advantages are lower acquisition costs and significantly shorter delivery times.

“China is aggressively promoting the C919 throughout Southeast Asia,” says Zachary Abuza, professor, National War College, Washington. He also noted that Lao Airlines has already acquired two units, while Vietnamese carrier VietJet is reportedly arranging leases for COMAC’s regional jet ARJ21, now rebranded as C909. Gallup Air of Brunei has also signed letters of intent for 15 C909 aircraft.

Garuda Indonesia, the Indonesian flag carrier, is reportedly in discussions with COMAC for potential C919 orders.

The commercial momentum around the C919 comes amid intensifying US-China trade tensions that have extended into the aerospace sector. The C919 relies on multiple critical US-origin components, including LEAP-1C engines manufactured by CFM International (a joint venture between GE and Safran), Honeywell avionics systems, Rockwell Collins weather radar, and other key systems.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the C919, which would allow global operations, is projected to be achieved between 2028 and 2031.