C919 manufacturer sets up shop in Singapore as China eyes Southeast Asia

China’s leading aircraft manufacturer opened an Asia-Pacific office in Singapore this week, marking a significant step toward challenging Boeing and Airbus in the international aviation market.

It is hoped the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) office would become a launch pad for China’s home-grown C919 narrowbody airliner and its ARJ21 regional jet in Southeast Asia.

TransNusa is the first overseas airline to operate the ARJ21, with three in service on routes between Indonesian islands, as well Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Despite opening an office in Singapore on Monday as a strategic showroom, analysts said the state-owned aircraft manufacturer still needed to extend the reach of maintenance and tech support services beyond China.

“Aircraft manufacturers of global stature all need to knit a worldwide network of offices to better support customers and pitch for orders,” said Mayur Patel, the Asia head for Singapore-based global industry data provider OAG Aviation.