China’s C919 jet faces further delivery delays amid US export chill: analysts
A reported move by the United States to restrict exports of aircraft parts to China would place another speed bump on production of the C919 – a Chinese passenger jet designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing – as alternative sources of critical components for the plane are not readily available, according to analysts. The US Commerce Department has slowed export licensing for civilian aeroplane…
Recent reports indicate that the United States may restrict exports of aircraft parts to China, potentially causing further delays for the C919 passenger jet. This comes after the US Commerce Department began slowing export licensing for civilian aeroplane parts to China in recent weeks, citing unnamed sources. The move aims to strengthen Washington's position in trade talks with Beijing and prevent the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) from stockpiling parts.
US officials have also reportedly shown interest in regulations that would make it easier to restrict shipments of aviation hydraulic fluid. Analysts believe these restrictions will exacerbate supply issues for Comac, which has already been struggling to meet production targets for the C919, a Chinese jet designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing.
While Comac has received over 1,000 orders for the C919 from Chinese airlines, the company has only delivered 15 jets in the past year, falling short of its target of 75. The production slowdown is attributed to a combination of factors, including earlier US restrictions on component exports and Comac's focus on quality over speed.
The absence of alternative sources for critical components further complicates the situation, as Comac has been developing replacements for US parts, but these alternatives are still years away from being ready.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
