According to the latest fleet plan, the three largest airlines in China expect a significant increase in COMAC's C919 narrowbody jet delivery this year.
This disclosure comes alongside the annual financial results and is in line with Comac's previously rolled out plans to increase production rates for this year's narrow body program.
The Big 3, which consists of China, Eastern China Airlines and Southern China Airlines, is hoping to deliver 10-12 C919s each this year, double the existing C919 fleet.
It launches eastern China with customers using 10 C919s, receiving 10 C919s in 2025, aiming to double its sales fleet by the end of the year.
Similarly, Air China says it aims to receive 10 new C919s in 2025, leading its total fleet to 13 examples by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, southern China is targeting delivery of 12 C919s, bringing its sales fleet to 15 aircraft. Air China and China Southern received their first C919 in August 2024, while Eastern China won their first example in 2023.
In 2026 and 2027, we expect three operators to receive 10 C919s a year. This indicates that production rates may be stable by then.
An executive at COMAC was quoted in January in local media reports that Shanghai-based Air Flamer is trying to provide at least 30 C919s this year to increase production capacity to 50 aircraft per year.
“Big 3” is the program's biggest customer, ordering at least 100 C919s each. The type of expanded order book with Chinese airlines has promoted the need to expand production capacity.
Deliveries for C919 are expected to rise this year, but the “Big 3” shows that delivery of COMAC's C909 Regional Jet, previously known as the ARJ21, will end by the end of the year.
Air China and China Southern are expected to receive the last two C909s from their order books for 40 jets by this year. Delivery is not forecast until 2027.
The “Big 3” became black at the operating level for the year ended December 31, 2024, with eastern China finally shaking towards first post-pandemic profits.
The Shanghai-based airline recorded operating profit of $1.6 billion ($221.8 million) over the course of a year, compared to an operating loss of $1.9 billion in 2023.
Meanwhile, Air China reported operating profit fell to $2.2 billion as it felt the impact of rising costs. The Beijing-based operator has seen costs rise by 18% and slightly outpaced a full-year revenue rise by 17%.
China Southern saw revenues increase by 9% to $174 billion, and 49% of operating profit increased to $8.2 billion. Full-year expenses increased 8% to nearly $17.2 billion.
