Boeing chose not to bring commercial aircraft to this year's Singapore Air Show, instead displaying a 777X cabin experience mockup. The company's exhibit will focus on defense aircraft. China's C919 made its debut at the air show on Sunday, giving a well-received aerial greeting. The biennial Singapore Air Show will officially open on Tuesday, February 20th.
COMAC aims to break the jet plane duopoly
The C919 is China's hopeful answer to the Airbus-Boeing BA duopoly in passenger aircraft. His narrow-body C919, manufactured by the China Civil Aircraft Corporation, has so far been certified only in China. However, manufacturers are building them to international airworthiness standards, and Chinese aviation authorities are negotiating with European authorities for type certification.
The aircraft will compete with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo for domestic aircraft demand. The passenger capacity ranges from 158 to 192 and the range ranges from 4,075km to 5,555km. The first aircraft was rolled out in November 2015, and the first test flight took place on May 5, 2017. Production rate is still low. The first four aircraft went to launch customer China Eastern, and the fourth of the five aircraft ordered was delivered to China Eastern in January this year. The airline ordered 100 more C919 aircraft in September last year. China has pledged to help manufacturers achieve annual production of 150 aircraft by 2028.
The Chinese aircraft manufacturer will also display its ARJ21 short-medium range turbofan regional aircraft at an air display at the Singapore Air Show. The ARJ21 aircraft can carry 78 to 97 passengers over distances of 2,225 to 3,700 kilometers.
COMAC is committed to developing alternatives for airlines' long-haul needs. China's first long-range widebody aircraft, the C929, has entered the design stage after some delays. The baseline version of the C929 seats up to 280 passengers and provides airlines with a range of 12,000 kilometers, suitable for international flights and regional flights with high capacity demands. The aircraft program was initially a joint venture between COMAC and the Russian Federation Aircraft Corporation. The plan collapsed last year due to continued disagreements and the impact of lingering Russian sanctions.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 returns to China, predicting high demand for single-aisle aircraft
The 737 MAX may not appear at the Singapore aviation show, but it's still in demand. Despite recent troubles, China has given Boeing permission to resume deliveries for the first time since March 2019. Boeing delivered a registered 737 MAX 8 to China Southern Airlines in January of this year.
The US aerospace giant estimates that 20% of global jet demand will come from China by 2042. In its commercial market outlook, Boeing estimates that China will need 8,560 new commercial aircraft, of which 6,470 will be single-aisle planes like the 737 MAX.
China's aviation sector will also need $675 billion for air services. This includes maintenance, repairs, training and spare parts. At the Singapore Air Show, Boeing will showcase services including digital, maintenance, modification, parts and training solutions for government and commercial customers.
“Domestic air traffic in China has already exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and international traffic is steadily recovering,” Darren Hulst, Boeing's vice president of commercial marketing, said at a press conference last year about the company's forecast. “I am doing so,” he said. “As China's economy and traffic continue to grow, Boeing's complete lineup of commercial jets will play a critical role in meeting that growth sustainably and economically.”
Boeing supports Singapore Airshow's sustainability theme
Boeing will keep its commercial jets in the country, but the company plans to highlight “an immersive display of the 777X's cabin experience that highlights its spacious and flexible architecture.” The 777X was displayed as part of the aviation exhibition at the last Singapore Airshow 2022.
Organizers of the Singapore Airshow 2024 have organized a series of forums and exhibitions on sustainability in aviation. This includes an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Whisk Aero, a subsidiary of Boeing. Boeing representatives attending the air show will also voice support for the airline industry's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
boeing defense on display
Boeing planes will fly over Singapore this week. In addition to the many commercial aircraft operating from Singapore's Changi Airport, Boeing's defense customers will have their aircraft on display at the show. The lineup includes the F-15 jet, P-8A Poseidon, AH-64E Apache, CH-47F Chinook, C-17 Globemaster III, B-52 flight display, and more. The F-15EX simulator on Boeing's display allowed Singapore Air Show visitors to explore the fighter jet's design and cockpit.
“Southeast Asia's fast-growing economies continue to invest in new aerospace products and services for the future,” said Dr. Brendan Nelson, president of Boeing Global, in a brief on the Singapore Air Show. “Boeing continues to provide needed capabilities to commercial and government customers across the region, while expanding our presence in the region and opening new opportunities for our partners and suppliers.”
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