The US blocks the sale to China of planes engines: a blow to the Comac project, rival of Airbus and Boeing

Project C919, theSingle corridor plane « Made in China » Made by Comac to challenge the Duopolio Airbus-Boeing, he risks ending up in limbo even before he really takes off. The Trump administration has decided to suspend the sale of some US technologies with « criticism » to China, such as those for aeronautical equipment. This translates, among other things, in the stop to the delivery of the CFM Leap-1 engines produced by a Franco-American consortium, but also in the Vinic.

The reaction

The news, anticipated by New York Timesa direct retaliation appears to the decision of the People’s Republic to ask the Chinese airlines of Do not receive the ordered Boeing After the introduction of US duties up to 145% on the assets of the Asian giant. The « order » – never officially confirmed – was then revoked after the relaxing negotiations between the two countries. But the restriction imposed by China on exports of critical minerals to the USA would also make the White House angry.

The characteristics

Now comes the response of Washington who hit Comac, the Chinese state aerospace manufacturer who – among other things – is investing a lot on the C919, The anti Boeing and Airbus jet. The aircraft, which at the moment flies only within the country pending authorization to operate also in other air spaces, bases most of its « infrastructure » criticism of western products. It can transport 158-192 passengers-depending on the internal configuration-and costs 18% less than Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 on the basis of the list price and therefore net of the discounts.

« Suspended licenses »

Technically, the U.S. Department of Commerce suspended some licenses that allowed American companies to sell products and technologies to Comac. « In some cases, the department has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional requirements while the review is underway », is explained in a note. From Comac it was not possible to get an answer at the time of the publication of this article.

Cannot fly to Europe

The C919 entered service in China in 2023, after obtaining the national security certification in 2022. For some time he has been trying to have the green light to fly also in Europe: but the European Aerial Security Agency (EASA) has decided to study the aircraft thoroughly and may want at least 5-10 years before the authorization. According to the data provided to Courier 18 specimens of which half of China Eastern, one of the main Chinese carriers, are operational from the CH-ABBIATION platform. Another 725 were ordered, most of a client not made known.

Dependence on US products

The C919 depends a lot on western technology. The two engines used for aircraft, CFM Leap-1, are made by the Franco-American Consortium CFM International composed of GE Aerospace and Safran. American is also the Avionics (by Honeywell and Parker Aerospace). And the instrumentation in the piloting cabin (Eaton). According to a document by the Center for Strategic & International Studies, the Chinese aircraft relies on 48 American suppliers, 26 Europeans, 6 of Asia-Pacific.