U.S. Export Curbs Threaten China’s Homegrown Jet Ambitions
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State-owned plane-maker Comac relies on a variety of U.S. suppliers for key components used in the C919. Photo: Xinhua
China’s push to scale up production of its first domestically developed passenger jet has run into major headwinds after the U.S. reportedly suspended key export licenses, disrupting the aircraft-maker’s access to American engine technology.
The U.S. Commerce Department had suspended several licenses that allow American companies to sell products and technology to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd., or Comac, for use in its C919 aircraft, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing a person familiar with the matter.
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- The U.S. reportedly suspended export licenses for American companies selling technology to Comac, impacting China's C919 passenger jet production efforts.
- This move disrupts Comac's access to the LEAP-1C engine and other key U.S.-sourced components for the C919.
- The C919, China's domestically developed jet, relies heavily on foreign technology, slowing potential ramp-up from its current 19 operational jets.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
- Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd.
- Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (Comac) is a state-owned enterprise developing the C919 passenger jet, intended as a rival to Boeing's 737 and Airbus's A320. Comac aims to boost C919 production, but faces significant challenges. Its C919 aircraft heavily relies on foreign technology, including U.S.-supplied engines like the LEAP-1C. The suspension of key U.S. export licenses has disrupted its access to these critical components, jeopardizing its ambitious production targets despite continued commercial operations within China.
- General Electric Co.
- General Electric Co. (GE) is a U.S. company that, through a joint venture, co-produces the LEAP-1C engine used in China's C919 aircraft. GE designs and manufactures the critical hot-section of this engine. Deliveries of the LEAP-1C engine have been effectively frozen due to the suspension of U.S. export licenses, disrupting Comac's access to this key American technology and impacting the C919's commercial rollout.
- Safran Aircraft Engines
- Safran Aircraft Engines, a French company, co-produces the LEAP-1C engine within a joint venture with U.S. General Electric Co. This engine is crucial for Comac's C919 aircraft. The US Commerce Department's suspension of export licenses has effectively frozen deliveries of these jointly produced engines, thereby impacting the C919's commercial rollout plans.
- Boeing Co.
- Boeing Co. is mentioned as the maker of the 737, a narrow-body jet that China's domestically developed C919 aircraft is designed to compete with. The C919 aims to be China's alternative to Boeing's 737 and Airbus SE's A320.
- Airbus SE
- Airbus SE, also known as 空中客车公司, is mentioned in the article as a major aircraft manufacturer. Its A320 narrow-body jet serves as a benchmark and competitor for China's domestically developed Comac C919. The C919 is designed to be China's alternative to both Boeing's 737 and Airbus's A320 models in the commercial aviation market.
- Honeywell International Inc.
- Honeywell International Inc. is a U.S. supplier to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (Comac). For the C919 aircraft, Comac sources critical systems from Honeywell, including auxiliary power and flight control technologies.
- Rockwell Collins Inc.
- Rockwell Collins Inc. is identified as a U.S. supplier to Comac. The company provides avionics systems for Comac's C919 aircraft. The article highlights that the C919 remains heavily reliant on foreign components, with key airborne equipment, including avionics, predominantly supplied by third parties like Rockwell Collins.
- Parker Hannifin Corp.
- Parker Hannifin Corp., a U.S. supplier, has its division, Parker Aerospace, providing critical components for Comac's C919 aircraft. Specifically, Parker Aerospace supplies fuel inerting and hydraulic systems, highlighting the C919's reliance on foreign technology despite China's push for domestic production.
- Air China Ltd.
- Air China Ltd. (601111.SH) is China's flag carrier and one of the "big three" airlines. On May 30, it received its first C919 jet of the year. Air China, along with China Southern and China Eastern Airlines, plans to collectively take delivery of 32 C919 jets this year. This highlights its role in adopting domestically developed aircraft.
- China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.
- China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. (600029.SH) is one of China's "big three" carriers. Earlier this year, it took delivery of two C919 jets. Along with Air China and China Eastern Airlines, the company is part of a plan to collectively receive 32 C919 jets this year.
- China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.
- China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. (600115.SH) is one of China's "big three" carriers. Along with other major airlines, it plans to receive a combined 32 C919 jets this year. China Eastern operated the C919's first commercial flight two years ago, and its C919 fleet had completed over 11,400 commercial flights as of May 27.
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What Happened When
- 2008：
- Comac started developing the narrow-body C919.
- 2011：
- Production of the C919 began.
- Late September 2022：
- C919 received the first level of certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China required for commercial flight.
- November 29, 2022：
- C919 obtained the second certification required for commercial flight.
- December 9, 2022：
- C919 received the final third certification required for commercial flight.
- 2023：
- China Eastern Airlines operated the first commercial flight of the C919.
- April 2025：
- A person at the China Air Transport Association told Caixin about Comac's plans to ramp up C919 production from 50 jets in 2024 to 75 in 2025.
- Earlier in 2025：
- China Southern Airlines took delivery of two C919 jets.
- May 2025：
- Everbright Securities Co. Ltd. published a research report describing the LEAP-1C engine's reliance on GE technology.
- May 2025：
- The New York Times reported that the U.S. had suspended several licenses allowing American companies to sell products and technology to Comac for use in its C919 aircraft.
- By May 27, 2025：
- China Eastern's C919 fleet had completed more than 11,400 commercial flights.
- As of late May 2025：
- Chinese airlines were operating 19 C919 jets.
- May 30, 2025：
- Air China received its first C919 of the year; Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian commented on the U.S. license suspension at a press briefing.
AI generated, for reference only
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