Beijing's C919 airliner, a product of the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), marked a significant milestone by showcasing its capabilities at the Singapore Airshow. This venture outside Chinese territory underscores China's ambition to compete with Western manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. The C919, touted as China's first large homegrown passenger jet, has a capacity to carry just under 200 passengers and first took to the skies for a commercial flight last May.

Despite being certified only for flights within mainland China with China Eastern Airlines, the C919's international debut has attracted global attention. Shukor Yusof of Endau Analytics highlighted that the aircraft would be closely scrutinized at the airshow, drawing interest from industry figures and government officials worldwide.

With plans to eventually challenge the dominance of Boeing and Airbus, China's aviation industry faces significant barriers to entry, including stringent certification requirements by American and European regulators. The C919, tailored for regional travel with a flight capacity of five to six hours, is poised to compete on a smaller scale in regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia.

Comac's success in securing its first overseas customer, TransNusa, for its ARJ21 regional jet last year signals growing international interest in Chinese aircraft manufacturing. The future prospects of the C919 and China's broader "Made in China" strategy will continue to draw attention as the aviation industry navigates evolving market dynamics.