In the world of major commercial aircraft production, there have been two leaders, Airbus and Boeing. Airbus slipped into the market in the seventies, but wasn’t a real ‘threat’ to giants Boeing Co. and McDonnell Douglas until the eighties. These past 10 years, it has been Boeing versus Airbus. Both companies seek to out-sell / out-build the other.
In the past years, China has found itself left with the option of: Boeing or Airbus. Boeing has been dominating Asia, and Airbus has found itself in the Asia market, but with a smaller presence than Boeing. Instead of relying on the west for commercial aircraft, China has decided to enter the industry with China Commercial Aircraft Co. Ltd. This company, abbreviated CCAC, plans to take on the American and European giants of the business. The formal inauguration of the company took place on May 11, 2008. Their first aircraft has beentitled the ARJ-21, a light commercial aircraft that will compete with regional jet manufacturers Embraer and Bombardier, has 181 unconfirmed / unannounced orders 1. 19 American and European companies are supporting this aircraft, such as General Electric.
A major problem for Chinese aircraft manufacturing firms in the past has been sales. The Shanghai Y10, China’s first commercial jet from 1980, did not sell – even to Chinese airlines, who had favored Boeing and Airbus over the competition. The aircraft was retired in 1985. Since CCAC is a state owned company, I’ll be anxious to see what happens in the future with this aircraft.
I see nothing wrong with competition. I’m happy to see a third potential player developing. Yet, I’m a bit skeptical since I’m a Boeing fan.
