By China’s growing aerospace ambitions dominated the opening day of the Zhuhai air show Tuesday, as state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announced Air China as the launch customer for its C929 widebody jet and unveiled plans for an uncrewed commercial spaceplane.
The show’s military displays featured the Bayi aerobatics team, four J-20 stealth jets, and the public debut of the J-35A stealth fighter, while commercial announcements included Hainan Airlines’ firm order for 60 C919 narrowbody jets and 40 rebranded C909 regional aircraft.
COMAC marketing director Zhang Xiaoguang announced the rebranding of the company’s ARJ21 regional jet to C909, citing brand uniformity. “After careful consideration, a long gestation and asking opinions of many involved parties, we chose to use C909 as the new commercial name to build the brand,” Zhang told reporters. Company representatives said the renamed aircraft features reduced weight, resistance, and noise, along with improved operating costs.
The state-controlled Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) displayed a model of the country’s first commercial uncrewed spaceplane, designed to deliver cargo to China’s space station. China Daily reported that AVIC received a contract from the China Manned Space Agency on October 29 for engineering flight verification of what it called “a low-cost reusable cargo shuttle solution with Chinese characteristics.”
Military technology on display included the Z-20 helicopter, which experts say is being developed in multiple variants, including a submarine-tracking version seen as crucial for extending the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s operational range.
Airbus China CEO George Xu, responding to the growing domestic competition, said his company remained focused on developing partnerships with Chinese companies rather than viewing them as rivals.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines added to COMAC’s order book with an agreement for 30 C909 aircraft, including 20 firm orders and 10 options. The air show continues through November 17.
