【Text by Observers Network, Deng Jun; Editor by Zhao Qiankun】

According to Reuters and the "Business Times" of Singapore, Brunei's Civil Aviation Authority announced on October 23 the latest revised civil aviation regulations, officially recognizing the airworthiness standards of China's Civil Aviation Administration and listing it as an acceptable airworthiness authority for design countries. This means that Brunei will allow its domestic airlines to operate aircraft made in China.

The report stated that Brunei Qiji Airlines played a key role in pushing for the official approval of introducing Chinese-made aircraft. In 2023, with Chinese financial support, the company ordered 15 C909s and 15 C919s.

Chen Chi, CEO of Brunei Qiji Airlines, said that this regulatory revision has laid an important legal foundation for Chinese-made jetliners entering the Brunei market, reflecting high recognition of the design capabilities and safety management system of China's aviation industry.

Previously, Brunei's Civil Aviation Authority only approved domestic airlines to operate aircraft manufactured by Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer, which had been certified by the civil aviation authorities of the United States, Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

Publicly available information shows that the C909 is China's first medium-range new turbofan regional aircraft independently developed according to international airworthiness standards, with its own intellectual property rights. It has a maximum passenger capacity of 90 people and made its official debut in June 2016. Subsequently, COMAC launched a larger model called the C919.

The "Business Times" of Singapore analyzed that although the Brunei market is limited, allowing airlines to operate Chinese-made aircraft is still a positive signal for COMAC.

In recent years, the use of the C909 has made progress in countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam.

By the end of March 2025, Lao Airlines received the C909 model delivered by China and completed its first commercial flight domestically in April.

According to documents from the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority, in April 2025, Vietnam listed the China Civil Aviation Administration as an approved aviation regulatory body. That same month, two C909 aircraft wet-leased by Chengdu Airlines to VietJet Air officially launched the "Hanoi-Kun Dao-Ho Chi Minh" route, marking the beginning of commercial operations for Chinese commercial aircraft in Vietnam.

In May 2025, the C909 achieved its longest commercial operation — Lion Air of Indonesia opened the "Shanghai Pudong - Manado, Indonesia" route. On September 29, 2025, Lion Air received the fifth C909 aircraft from COMAC, which was the first time Lion Air used a dual-cabin (business class + economy class) layout C909.

On September 9, 2025, Cambodia National Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with COMAC for the introduction of C909 aircraft, planning to purchase 20 C909s, with 10 confirmed orders and 10意向 orders.

At the same time, the economic and trade relations between China and Middle Eastern countries are also continuously strengthening.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, COMAC will participate in the 2025 Dubai Air Show for the first time, aiming to expand the Middle East market for the C919 aircraft.

Data from the Dubai Air Show's official website shows that COMAC's participation in this exhibition is expected to attract more than 148,000 visitors.

A report from the Griffith University Asia Institute showed that in the first half of 2025, China's investment in the Middle East region through the "Belt and Road" initiative reached 19.4 billion US dollars.

The report stated that according to the relevant investment framework, COMAC can provide financing support for airlines through Chinese banks or leasing companies.

"This is absolutely a significant air show," said Hugh Ritchie, CEO of Australian Aviation Analysis International. "I think (COMAC) will receive widespread attention. If I were an airline manager, I would pay very close attention to Chinese planes."

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7565027333627838995/

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