I do not believe that the C919 will receive FAA certification because of the political consequences. According to CNN “During President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to the United States, China signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 300 airliners worth $38 billion at list prices” (Jiang 2015). And “When German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Beijing last week, China also announced that it would buy 130 Airbus jets valued at $17 billion” (Jiang 2015). These orders in itself will cause a political uproar if China does not follow through with them. I don’t see China making these signed deals with Boeing and Airbus while claiming “The C919 has received 517 orders, mostly from Chinese carriers, leasing firms” (Jiang 2015). According to CNN, of 17 aircraft systems the C919 is made up of 11 American systems, 3 French and 4 Chinese. Boeing and Airbus do not want the competition of this new aircraft because “Already the world's second largest air travel market after the United States, China will need more than 6,300 new planes over the next two decades, according to a recent Boeing forecast” (Jiang 2015). China and the United States are each trying to hold their ground on their aviation footprint. The United States has been around in the aviation industry longer, they have more experience, more catastrophes, more crashes and a significant amount of safety measures in place based on these trials. Just to put a stamp on a certification for political aspects is not worth it to the flying public. The aviation industry owes that much to those who died for these hard lessons learned just to throw away an endorsement for political ties.
I believe the challenges would come down to making the aircraft manufactures competitive. The average U.S. traveler is looking for a good deal to travel and good customer service. If the C919 was marketed well, it would create a pretty picture for the flying public. With the fluctuating cost between competitors of air travel, passengers looking for a quick and cheap getaway would fly the C919 without a second thought. The average person is not researching the aircraft they fly with. Their main concerns are to arrive on time, to have a cheap price tag and for their luggage to arrive when they do. Other than that, I doubt the public will care because they are not aircraft enthusiasts, they are just passengers.
With Boeing and Airbus needing to compete with a third aircraft competitor, I believe Boeing and Airbus, both established companies, would prove their reliability and quality compared to the Chinese’s short history in aviation. The U. S. regulations have been written in blood and high standards have been set forth by the FAA to ensure safety for all air travelers. The Boeing and Airbus aircrafts have proven their ability to change and adjust to new safety regulations. It is more critical that an aircraft be dependable and reliable in the air. Yet, the Chinese have not proven that their aircraft can safely fly. All they have proven is that they can make an airplane. Are the Chinese willing to accept the FAA requirements in order to receive certification?
The COMAC has a regional aircraft, the ARJ121 that has not been FAA certified at this time. The aircraft was limited to its destinations. The Chinese have been dragging their feet to get the ARJ-21 delivered to Chinese airlines and the first one was delivered this year to Chengdu Airlines. The ARJ21 has not been endorsed or certified through the FAA, and it is a much smaller 94 passenger aircraft and has been cleared to fly since 2014. A society that does not conform to the needs of the people nor protects the people does not seem to be a government that will conform to the demands of the aviation industry. The FAA requires specific standards to ensure safety for all travelers in order to fly into the United States or that flies under the FAA guidelines. At this time, this Chinese aircraft can only be flown into Asian based airports and other countries that acknowledge the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certificate(Coonan 2016).
There are many companies that are currently making small regional aircraft, but not narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 or A320. Companies like Embraer, Bombardier and Golfstream to name a few have not ventured into the narrow-body industry but a new aircraft entering the market could open the possibility for other companies to make a new aircraft to be competitive.
At this time, I am not aware of any business plans. I feel that these two companies are strong enough in their product that they will be able to take on any competitor.
Reference
Coonan, C. (2016, January 5). China’s Comac delivers first homegrown ARJ-21 jet to Chengdu Airlines. Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.irishtimes.com/business/manufacturing/china-s-comac-delivers-first-homegrown-arj-21-jet-to-chengdu-airlines-1.2484566
Jiang, S. (2015, November 2). China takes on Boeing, Airbus with new passenger jet. Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/asia/china-new-c919-passenger-jet/
I believe the challenges would come down to making the aircraft manufactures competitive. The average U.S. traveler is looking for a good deal to travel and good customer service. If the C919 was marketed well, it would create a pretty picture for the flying public. With the fluctuating cost between competitors of air travel, passengers looking for a quick and cheap getaway would fly the C919 without a second thought. The average person is not researching the aircraft they fly with. Their main concerns are to arrive on time, to have a cheap price tag and for their luggage to arrive when they do. Other than that, I doubt the public will care because they are not aircraft enthusiasts, they are just passengers.
With Boeing and Airbus needing to compete with a third aircraft competitor, I believe Boeing and Airbus, both established companies, would prove their reliability and quality compared to the Chinese’s short history in aviation. The U. S. regulations have been written in blood and high standards have been set forth by the FAA to ensure safety for all air travelers. The Boeing and Airbus aircrafts have proven their ability to change and adjust to new safety regulations. It is more critical that an aircraft be dependable and reliable in the air. Yet, the Chinese have not proven that their aircraft can safely fly. All they have proven is that they can make an airplane. Are the Chinese willing to accept the FAA requirements in order to receive certification?
The COMAC has a regional aircraft, the ARJ121 that has not been FAA certified at this time. The aircraft was limited to its destinations. The Chinese have been dragging their feet to get the ARJ-21 delivered to Chinese airlines and the first one was delivered this year to Chengdu Airlines. The ARJ21 has not been endorsed or certified through the FAA, and it is a much smaller 94 passenger aircraft and has been cleared to fly since 2014. A society that does not conform to the needs of the people nor protects the people does not seem to be a government that will conform to the demands of the aviation industry. The FAA requires specific standards to ensure safety for all travelers in order to fly into the United States or that flies under the FAA guidelines. At this time, this Chinese aircraft can only be flown into Asian based airports and other countries that acknowledge the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certificate(Coonan 2016).
There are many companies that are currently making small regional aircraft, but not narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 or A320. Companies like Embraer, Bombardier and Golfstream to name a few have not ventured into the narrow-body industry but a new aircraft entering the market could open the possibility for other companies to make a new aircraft to be competitive.
At this time, I am not aware of any business plans. I feel that these two companies are strong enough in their product that they will be able to take on any competitor.
Reference
Coonan, C. (2016, January 5). China’s Comac delivers first homegrown ARJ-21 jet to Chengdu Airlines. Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.irishtimes.com/business/manufacturing/china-s-comac-delivers-first-homegrown-arj-21-jet-to-chengdu-airlines-1.2484566
Jiang, S. (2015, November 2). China takes on Boeing, Airbus with new passenger jet. Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/asia/china-new-c919-passenger-jet/
I agree with your statement that passengers typically want to get cheaper tickets, but it is the airlines liability to ensure that they are providing the most reliable aircraft to their customers. The C919 does not have a proven tracking record like the 737 or A320. With that being said, I find it very unlikely that we will see this aircraft being operated within the borders of the United States.
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