Now that US sanctions on China have eased, we can see that COMAC is recovering.
COMAC has faced US sanctions and export controls since 2020. These measures target COMAC’s alleged ties to the Chinese military and aim to curb aviation technology transfers. COMAC’s key programs—the narrowbody C919 (rival to Boeing 737 and Airbus A320), regional C909 (ARJ21 successor), and widebody C929—rely heavily on US-sourced components, including engines from CFM International (LEAP-1C for C919) and GE Aerospace (CF34-10A for C909), avionics from Honeywell and Collins Aerospace, and design software from Cadence and Synopsys. Sanctions have disrupted supply chains, delayed production, and forced COMAC toward localization efforts, though complete self-reliance remains years away.
Co-Founder AirInsight. My previous life includes stints at Shell South Africa, CIC Research, and PA Consulting. Got bitten by the aviation bug and ended up an Avgeek. Then the data bug got me, making me a curious Avgeek seeking data-driven logic. Also, I appreciate conversations with smart people from whom I learn so much. Summary: I am very fortunate to work with and converse with great people.
