DUBAI— China’s domestically developed C919 passenger jet is preparing to enter the Middle East stage for the first time at the 2025 Dubai Airshow. The aircraft, built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), arrived at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) following a transit stop through Dhaka.
A C919 operated by China Southern Airlines (CZ) completed the ferry flight, marking a significant milestone for China’s commercial aviation industry as it seeks to expand its global presence.
COMAC C919 to Showcase at Dubai Airshow
COMAC plans a strong showing at the Dubai Airshow, scheduled from November 17 to 21. The manufacturer will exhibit two C919 narrow-body jets and its C909 business aircraft, aiming to capture attention from operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The event, which attracts more than a thousand exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors, offers COMAC an opportunity to present the C919 to potential non-Chinese customers for the first time.
The C919 competes directly with established single-aisle jets such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. COMAC states that orders for the aircraft have surpassed 1,000, driven largely by demand from Chinese carriers but increasingly supported by interest from airlines in developing markets.
Industry analysts note that regions participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative may become early adopters once the aircraft receives wider certification.
These markets are seen as strategically important for COMAC’s long-term expansion as it attempts to break the Airbus-Boeing duopoly.
Current Fleet Performance and Challenges
Domestically, the C919 has continued to build operational credibility. By May 2025, COMAC had delivered 18 units to state-owned carriers such as Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), and China Southern.
Over two years of commercial service, these aircraft have collectively carried more than two million passengers on trunk and regional routes.
A notable milestone occurred when Air China deployed the C919 on its maiden international passenger route between Beijing (PEK) and Hong Kong (HKG), where the aircraft received a ceremonial water salute. The flight marked the jet’s first appearance outside mainland China in active service.
Despite the growing order book, the C919 remains certified only in China, limiting commercial flights abroad. COMAC continues to pursue international validation, though no specific timeline has been announced.
Even so, showcasing the jet in Dubai is widely viewed as a step toward gaining recognition from global regulators and airline decision-makers.
Industry observers believe that visibility at a major international airshow can help COMAC advance discussions with potential customers, especially as airlines look for alternatives amid supply chain strains affecting existing aircraft manufacturers.
Bottom Line
The C919’s debut at the Dubai Airshow represents a critical moment in COMAC’s global strategy.
By presenting two C919s and a C909 on an international stage, the manufacturer is working to convert strong domestic momentum into new opportunities abroad and position itself as a future competitor in the global narrow-body aircraft sector.
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