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Comac C909

From Alfawiki
Comac
Company typeState-owned enterprise
IndustryAerospace
PredecessorACAC consortium
Founded2008 (from ACAC consortium reorganization)
Headquarters
Shanghai
,
China
ProductsCommercial aircraft (including Comac C909 / ARJ21)
OwnerChinese government
Websiteenglish.comac.cc

The Comac C909, initially known as the ARJ21 Xiangfeng (), is a regional jet accommodating between 78 and 90 passengers, developed by the Chinese government-owned aerospace manufacturer Comac.

Its development commenced in March 2002 under the auspices of the state-owned ACAC consortium. The prototype was first revealed on 21 December 2007 and undertook its inaugural flight from Shanghai on 28 November 2008. The aircraft obtained its Type Certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China on 30 December 2014 and entered operational service on 28 June 2016 with Chengdu Airlines. In 2009, the ACAC consortium was restructured into Comac, and by November 2024, the aircraft was renamed as the C909.

The jet is equipped with a supercritical wing featuring a 25° sweep angle, designed by Antonov, and is powered by two rear-mounted General Electric CF34 engines. By the year 2025, a total of 172 units had been delivered.

Development

In 1985, the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company, now integrated into Comac, initiated a collaboration with McDonnell Douglas to co-manufacture the MD-80, a smaller jet airliner. Although only 20 MD-80s were produced before the partnership dissolved, China retained the manufacturing equipment. Western experts highlight that the ARJ21's design heavily borrows from the MD-80’s distinctive "double-bubble" fuselage architecture dating back to the 1980s, while Chinese sources assert it as an original indigenous creation.

The ARJ21 (Advanced Regional Jet) was a strategic element within China's 10th Five-Year Plan, officially initiated in March 2002 under the state-run ACAC consortium. Initial plans scheduled its maiden flight for 2005, followed by commercial operations approximately eighteen months later; however, development encountered delays of nearly eight years. Design progress was slow, and trial production only started in June 2006.

The first prototype (serial number 101) was unveiled on 21 December 2007 and completed its first flight on 28 November 2008 at Shanghai's Dachang Airfield. On 15 July 2009, it successfully conducted a long-range test flight covering approximately 1,300 km from Shanghai to Xi'an in two hours and nineteen minutes. Additional prototypes undertook similar test missions throughout late 2009 and into 2010. By August 2011, testing for static load, flutter phenomena, and crosswind flight conditions had been finalized.

In 2009, the ACAC consortium underwent reorganization and became part of COMAC.

Significant flight testing and CAAC approval

On 28 April 2014, prototype AC104 returned to China after completing natural-icing trials in North America—marking a milestone as the first time a turbofan regional jet developed independently by China conducted overseas specialized flight tests. Simultaneously, other test aircraft accumulated over 30,000 km across Asia, America, Europe, and over both Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Performing natural-icing assessments abroad demonstrated that international certification procedures for civil aircraft were achievable.

The initial production model took flight on 18 June 2014. AC104 carried out an airspeed calibration mission on 30 October, with route-proving flights commencing on 29 October that year. AC105 completed eighty-three flights connecting ten airports including Chengdu, Guiyang, Guilin, Haikou, Fuzhou, Zhoushan, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Yinchuan, and Xianyang—logging nearly one hundred seventy-four hours of flying time. By November 2014, AC104 had flown a total of seven hundred eleven sorties accumulating over one thousand four hundred forty-two hours and twenty-three minutes. Certification testing encompassed stall behavior, high-speed performance, noise levels, as well as simulated and natural icing conditions. After concluding final functionality and reliability flights on 16 December 2014 at Yanliang airport, AC105 completed all testing required for the ARJ21-700’s airworthiness certification.

The ARJ21-700 was granted its Type Certification under Chapter 25 of Chinese civil aviation regulations by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on 30 December 2014. Achieving certification involved completing five thousand hours of rigorous testing. A final demonstration flight occurred on 12 September 2015 before handover to its initial customer.

Introduction

On 29 November 2015, COMAC completed delivery of the inaugural ARJ21-700 to Chengdu Airlines. The aircraft's maiden commercial journey took place on 28 June 2016, flying from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Shanghai, following approval by the CAAC. Throughout the summer 2016 timetable, the ARJ21-700 operated three weekly flights between Chengdu and Shanghai Hongqiao, accumulating a total of 85 flight legs.

Further developments

In June 2018, COMAC introduced plans for an enhanced ARJ21-700+ model expected in 2021, incorporating reductions in weight and aerodynamic drag. Additionally, a stretched -900 variant was developed to accommodate 115 passengers in an all-economy layout, aimed at competing with aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ900, Embraer E175-E2, and Mitsubishi MRJ90. Despite these improvements, the ARJ21's empty weight remains higher than initially targeted and exceeds that of its rivals. By 2018, an executive configuration was nearing completion alongside proposals for a cargo variant.

Freighter conversion program

The ARJ21 COMAC Converted Freighter (CCF) initiative commenced in May 2020, achieving certification and testing milestones by December 2022 and securing CAAC type certification on 1 January 2023.

The first two freighters converted from passenger aircraft (registration numbers B-3329 and B-3388) were delivered on 30 October 2023. Initially handed over to Chengdu Airlines in 2018 as passenger planes, they were withdrawn for conversion in 2021. Aircraft B-3329 was assigned to YTO Cargo Airlines for short-haul international routes, while B-3388 was allocated to Air Central for domestic service. These freighters offer a maximum payload capacity of 10 tonnes and a range close to 1500 nautical miles (2780 km).

Production

The CAAC granted mass production certification for the ARJ21 in July 2017. On 6 March 2020, the first ARJ21 produced on the second assembly line in Pudong successfully completed its maiden test flight. This facility, situated adjacent to the C919 assembly plant, is capable of manufacturing up to 30 aircraft annually.

Rebranding

In October 2024, images emerged showing an ARJ21 painted in C909 livery. COMAC officially confirmed the rebranding during the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2024, aligning the aircraft's designation with its other programs such as the C919 and C929.

International services

Air China inaugurated the initial scheduled international operations using the C909 in July 2025, connecting Hohhot, China with Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Design

The ARJ21 bears resemblance to the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90, models that were previously manufactured under license within China. Although COMAC claims the ARJ21 is entirely indigenous in design, it incorporated foreign components including engines and avionics sourced from the United States. The aircraft is equipped with a newly developed supercritical wing designed by Antonov, featuring a 25° sweep angle and winglets. Chinese supercomputers played a significant role in optimizing component designs.

Frame

Key members of the ACAC consortium responsible for developing the aircraft produce major structural elements:

Engine

The COMAC C909 is equipped with the General Electric CF-34 turbofan engine, a powerplant commonly utilized in regional aircraft such as the Mitsubishi CRJ and the Embraer E-Jets.

Avionics

For the cockpit, COMAC chose the Pro Line 21 integrated avionics system (IAS) from Collins Aerospace, paired with the FMS-4200 flight management system (FMS), which is also employed on the Mitsubishi CRJ550/700/900/1000 lineup, along with advanced weather radar capabilities.

C909 STD

The standard model of the C909 series is represented by the C909 STD.

C909 ER

The extended-range version, known as the C909 ER, offers higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), maximum landing weight (MLW), and maximum taxi weight (MTW) compared to the standard variant, enhancing its operational range and performance without requiring additional fuel tanks.

C909 CBJ

The corporate jet variant, designated C909 CBJ (COMAC Business Jet), has secured its type certification from the CAAC.

C909 CCF

Designed as a converted freighter, the C909 CCF (COMAC converted freighter) supports cargo containers including PMC, PAG, and AKE types, with a maximum payload capacity of 9,467 kg. This model has achieved type certification from the CAAC. The conversion process commenced on 22 December 2022 at GAMECO in Guangzhou. The initial conversions involved two C909ER [ARJ21-700 ER] aircraft formerly operated by Chengdu Airlines and returned to COMAC in 2021.

On 30 December 2023, COMAC officially handed over two C909 CCF units to YTO Cargo Airlines and Air Central in Guangzhou, marking its debut in the converted cargo aircraft sector.

C909 EMJ

The rescue-focused variant, named C909 EMJ (Emergency Management Jet), holds CAAC type certification. On 20 February 2024, Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group placed an order for six C909 models, including this emergency response jet.

C909 FFJ

Introduced at the 2025 Paris Air Show, the C909 FFJ (Fire-Fighting Jet) is outfitted with fire detection and monitoring systems intended for diverse mission profiles. As of June 2025, this variant remains under development. It was among the six jets ordered by Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group in February 2024.

C909 MSJ

The medical evacuation and transport version, known as the C909 MSJ (Medical Service Jet), carries CAAC type certification. This variant was included in Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group’s six-aircraft order placed in February 2024.

Operators

By April 2025, a total of 146 aircraft were actively operating commercially. Up to that point, 176 units had been delivered to customers.

Orders and deliveries

As of 9 April 2025, COMAC had a backlog of 386 orders outstanding after delivering 23 aircraft to its launch customer, Chengdu Airlines, which commenced operations on 28 June 2016.

On 30 March 2025, COMAC completed delivery of its first C909 to Lao Airlines, establishing it as the second international operator following Indonesia’s TransNusa.

Order Fulfillment

The table below presents delivery data updated through 15 March 2025. Figures indicate the originally planned yearly deliveries to commercial carriers and may surpass the current operational fleet size.

Date Airline Confirmed

(+Options)

Deliveries
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
8/30/2019 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Air China 35 3 4 8 9 9[1][2] 1
1/2010 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Chengdu Airlines 30 1 1 2 6 8 6 6 4 5[1]
8/30/2019 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall China Eastern Airlines 35 2 5 10 7[3] 2
11/2020 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall China Express Airlines 50 2 1 3 2 2[1] 1
8/30/2019 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall China Southern Airlines 35 3 4 8 9 9[1]
12/2019 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall China Flight General Aviation Company (CFGAC) 2 1 1 1[4]
8/20/2018 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Genghis Khan Airlines 25(+25) 3 2 1 1[3]
1/2020 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Jiangxi Air 5 3 2
Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Urumqi Air 5
12/2022 Indonesia TransNusa 30 1 |1[3]
3/2025 Template:Country data LaosTemplate:Namespace detect showall Lao Airlines 2 1[5]
11/2024 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Hainan Airlines 40
11/2024 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Colorful Guizhou Airlines 20(+10)
Aggregate Totals 312(+35) 1 1 2 6 12 22 22 34 22 35 5
162

Orders on Record

September 2003 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showallShanghai Airlines 5 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showallShandong Airlines 10 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showallShenzhen Financial Leasing 20 March 2004 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showallXiamen Airlines 37 December 2007 Template:Country data ChinaTemplate:Namespace detect showall Henan Airlines100 March 2008 Template:Flagicon United States GECAS5Template:Flagicon ChinaJoy Air 50 May 2010 Template:Flagicon IndonesiaMerukh Enterprises 10 11 November 2014 Template:Flagicon CongoEquatorial Congo Airlines 4 9 March 2015 Template:Flagicon ChinaICBC Leasing 30 October 2022 Template:Flagicon ChinaLonghao Airlines 50[6] November 2022 Template:Flagicon ChinaYTO Cargo Airlines 70 20 September 2023 Template:Flagicon BruneiGallopAir 12 10 September 2025 Template:Flagicon CambodiaAir Cambodia 10
Date Ordered Customer Airline / Entity Model Type Options Held Purchase Rights

20

2[6]

3

10

Overall Totals 313 Orders Recorded 10 Options and Rights


Specifications

Model designation ARJ21-700 STD ARJ21-700 ER
Commercial name C909 STD C909 ER C909 CBJ C909 CCF
Flight deck crew Two pilots
Passenger capacity 90 (single-class)
78 (dual-class) 		20 (VIP configuration) Cargo variant
Seat spacing 31 in (single-class), 36 & 32 in (dual-class) VIP layout /
Aircraft length 33.46 m (109 ft 9 in)
Wing span 27.28 m (89 ft 6 in)
Wing surface area 79.86 m2 (859.6 sq ft)
Wing sweep angle 25 degrees
Overall height 8.44 m (27 ft 8 in)
Cabin breadth 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in)
Cabin interior height 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Aisle width 48.3 cm (19.0 in) VIP configuration /
Seat width 45.5 cm (17.9 in) VIP configuration /
Operating empty mass (OEM) 24,955 kg (55,016 lb) 24,900 kg (54,900 lb) 24,666 kg (54,379 lb)
  • Remarks: Figures are indicative. STD denotes Standard Range, ER refers to Extended Range
  • Information sources: ARJ21 Series, ICAS

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TPHuang-19Dec2024
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rzjet
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TPHuang-28Sept2024
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TPHuang-30Oct2024
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Aerotime-30032025
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1
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