Zhuhai Airshow Marks Tentative Step For Chinese Aircraft Manufacturers

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An ARJ21 - ReutersNov. 7 – The annual Zhuhai airshow, which opened earlier this week, has marked its presence this year with the first order from foreign companies to buy Chinese manufactured aircraft. GE Capital, the aircraft leasing subsidiary of General Electric, has agreed to buy five Chinese ARJ21 commercial jets, with options on 20 more in a deal worth potentially US$750 million.

The aircraft, which can be configured to between 70 and 105 (stretch version) passengers, is the first commercial jet airliner to have been sold internationally by China. It has been touted by the Chinese as the first indigenous aircraft, although in reality it borrows heavily from technology and tooling purchased from McDonnell Douglas and bears a strong resemblance to the company’s DC-9 aircraft.

A Cebu Pacific DC-9 in flightOver 200 ARJ21 jets have been sold, all to domestic Chinese airlines with the exception of the GE order. That order itself is partially politically motivated as GE supply the engines to power the jet, yet is a welcome boost to CACC (China Commercial Aircraft Corp) who built the planes as they seek to further expand into international markets. Having GE acceptance, even though they are a strategic partner, is seen as a vote of global confidence in the aircraft.

The jet, which has a range of up to 2,225 kilometers fully loaded, does seem capable of being a serious competitor for the small-range domestic flights market currently unoccupied by either Boeing or Airbus, but it will bring them head to head with Bombardier and Embraer. It has long been acknowledged as a stepping stone for Chinese aircraft manufacturers to eventually compete with larger aircraft, capable of intercontinental routes.

The first commercial service using the ARJ21 is to commence later this month, from Shanghai, while potential orders for the craft over the next 20 years are expected to be in the region of 850 aircraft, in predictions that are exciting global aviation component manufacturers eager to service the manufacturer.