Merely a temporary measure until C919 production scales up. According to Bloomberg, on September 21, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told Fox News that “China is moving forward with fulfilling its commitment announced in May to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, with about 140 of those orders progressing well and another 10 currently under negotiation.” The batch represents Boeing’s first major order from China in nearly a decade.
It is widely acknowledged that the current production capacity of the C919 remains far from sufficient to meet market demand. Full-year deliveries of the C919 are expected to reach only around 15 aircraft in 2025, with a target of approximately 28 in 2026. China’s civil aviation fleet comprises over 4,500 passenger jets, half of which are Boeing models. Even maintaining routine fleet renewal requires the annual introduction of more than 200 new aircraft. For China, viable alternatives remain limited to either Boeing or Airbus—both Western-manufactured platforms.
Thus, during the period when the C919 cannot yet deliver at scale, Boeing orders serve as a functional substitute. Moreover, Airbus already holds a market share of roughly 55% in China, having secured a dominant position. Introducing a moderate number of Boeing aircraft helps prevent overreliance on a single supplier, preserving bargaining power and supply chain resilience. This is not a choice made lightly, but a pragmatic necessity.
Therefore, the 200-plane Boeing order is not a contingency plan for the C919, but a calculated strategic substitution: exchanging market access for time, supply chain security, and leverage in international competition, thereby creating a buffer period for domestic large aircraft manufacturers to ramp up production capacity. In the civil aviation sector, the goal remains clear—to accelerate the indigenous development of core components, particularly engines, so that China can strengthen its position in future negotiations with Western counterparts.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876992839597063/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.