China's COMAC C919 narrowbody airliner has transported more than 8.4 million passengers since entering commercial service in May 2023, according to figures released by the Chinese manufacturer on Thursday. However, deliveries of the aircraft remain well below expectations in 2026.
Shen Bo, president of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), announced the passenger milestone during an aviation industry conference in Dunhuang, Gansu province. He said the C919 has served 27 cities since its commercial debut.
The aircraft is currently operated by three Chinese carriers: China Eastern Airlines, Air China and China Southern Airlines. Despite growing passenger traffic, COMAC has struggled to accelerate production and deliveries.
According to aircraft records compiled by Planespotters.net, only 11 C919s have been delivered to airlines through September 2026. China Southern received five aircraft, while China Eastern and Air China took three each.
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The figure contrasts with the 33 deliveries the three airlines expected this year, according to their earlier fleet plans. COMAC delivered 15 C919s in 2025, meaning that matching last year's output would require another four deliveries before December ends.
Production difficulties continue
COMAC has faced several obstacles in expanding C919 production, including labor shortages and delays involving foreign suppliers.
The aircraft relies on several Western-made systems, particularly the CFM International LEAP-1C engines supplied by the joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
Production difficulties became apparent earlier this year, when only three aircraft were delivered during the first quarter. The pace subsequently improved, but deliveries remained irregular.
The most recent commercial delivery was a C919-100STD registered B-65AY, received by China Southern Airlines on September 25.
Another C919 was completed this year, but it is not part of the commercial fleet. The aircraft, registered B-002U, is the first prototype of the shortened C919-600 variant, developed for operations at high-altitude airports.
The prototype completed its maiden flight on July 29 and remains with COMAC for flight testing.
Regional jet reaches 41 million passengers
During the same conference, Shen also disclosed that the C909 regional jet, previously known as the ARJ21, has transported more than 41 million passengers since entering service in 2016.
The smaller aircraft has been in commercial operation for a decade and is used on regional routes in China and other Asian markets.
Unlike the C919, which competes in the same market segment as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, the C909 serves routes with lower passenger demand.
COMAC is also developing additional members of the C919 family, including the stretched C919-800 and the shortened C919-600. The latter is intended for airlines operating from airports on the Tibetan Plateau, where high elevation limits aircraft performance.
