KUALA LUMPUR– Malaysia Airlines (MH) continues to view China’s COMAC C919 as a potential future fleet option, but the airline says certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and ideally the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), remains a key requirement before any purchase decision.
The carrier believes Western regulatory approval would strengthen confidence in the aircraft across international markets and support its broader operational network.
The comments come as Malaysia Airlines, part of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), continues its long-term fleet modernization strategy centered on operations from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
While the airline has already committed its current narrowbody renewal plans to Boeing aircraft, executives say the COMAC C919 could become a realistic option during the next replacement cycle after 2035 if certification and support capabilities mature.
Western Certification Requirements of C919
Bryan Foong, CEO of Airline Business at Malaysia Aviation Group, said the airline has confidence that COMAC will eventually secure EASA certification and hopes the aircraft will also receive FAA approval.
He explained that such endorsements remain important because many countries rely on these regulators when accepting new aircraft types for commercial operations.
According to Foong, Malaysia Airlines operates across multiple international markets, making globally recognized certification a practical requirement rather than simply a preference.
He added that growing aviation cooperation between China, Malaysia, and Southeast Asian nations could further increase confidence in the C919 once regulatory milestones are achieved.
The COMAC C919 entered commercial service in May 2023 as China’s first domestically developed narrowbody jet designed to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.
Although the aircraft has expanded operations within China, it continues to undergo EASA’s validation process, including recent flight evaluations conducted by European test pilots in Shanghai.
Fleet Renewal Plans for Growth
Foong said the C919 was not sufficiently mature when Malaysia Airlines began evaluating new narrowbody aircraft several years ago. As a result, the airline proceeded with Boeing orders that now cover its current fleet renewal strategy.
He noted that Malaysia Airlines does not expect to place another major narrowbody order until around 2035 because existing commitments already satisfy its planned capacity growth.
That timeline could create an opportunity for COMAC if the aircraft demonstrates operational reliability, commercial performance, and international certification by then.
Malaysia Airlines has maintained routine communication with COMAC but is not engaged in active aircraft purchase negotiations. The airline also intends to assess long-term maintenance capabilities before considering any future acquisition.
Future C919 Fleet Outlook
Beyond certification, Malaysia Airlines believes COMAC must establish a stronger maintenance, repair, and technical support network throughout Southeast Asia to support international operators.
A reliable regional support system would be an important factor in any future fleet evaluation.
COMAC has already expanded its regional presence by opening a representative office in Singapore, while its smaller C909 regional jet is operating with airlines in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, SCMP reported.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines continues strengthening its presence in China, recently launching flights to Shenzhen alongside existing services to Hong Kong and Guangzhou as it develops Kuala Lumpur into a larger transit hub linking Chinese travelers with Australia, New Zealand, and India.
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