Why interest in China’s C919 jet is taking off among Malaysia’s airlines

Growing air travel in Southeast Asia and backlogs in Airbus and Boeing deliveries are driving regional interest in China’s C919 passenger jet, according to Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

China is promoting aircraft made by Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) – including the C919, the country’s first home-grown narrowbody airliner – as cheaper alternatives to aircraft manufactured by Airbus and Boeing.

Loke told the Post recently that Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia and a new airline, Air Borneo, were among the airlines to have shown interest in the Comac aircraft.

All airlines were looking to diversify their procurement of aircraft and were seeking faster delivery and cheaper options, Loke said.

“There is currently a long wait for aircraft delivery from Boeing and Airbus,” he said. “For sure, Comac is one of the aircraft manufacturers looked at by airlines.

“AirAsia is interested … to look at them but nothing is confirmed. I am not privy to commercial negotiations.”