Supply chain and delivery problems at Boeing and Airbus are opening giant markets for China’s COMAC

Boeing and Airbus both forecast that over 40,000 new passenger jet aircraft will be needed across global markets in the next 20 years. Most of these new planes will be for emerging markets in Asia, South America, and Africa. Further, the most in-demand aircraft will be single-aisle narrowbody jets. Currently that market is served by Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A-320. But the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, or COMAC, has aggressive growth plans in this market as well, and recently introduced their C-919 model to compete directly for market share in that space. COMAC already has some huge advantages, given that so much of the new demand will be Chinese airlines themselves, and in countries that are more closely aligned with China. Making problems worse for Boeing and Airbus is their struggle to fill orders from long-standing customers, in markets they serve now. Chronic parts and labor shortages, engine delivery issues, and vendor problems are pushing back production and delivery schedules, creating a vacuum that COMAC is hoping to fill. Resources and links: Airbus CMO and graphics GMF and 2024-2043 Boeing Forecasts Demand for Nearly 44,000 New Airplanes Through 2043 as Air Travel Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels Boeing CMO, full report Airbus Cuts Outlook, Cites Supply Problems   Airbus Cuts A320 Delivery Targets Amid Supply Chain Issues Bloomberg, Airbus Missing Parts Everywhere Forces Cutback of Targets Reuters, Airbus warns airlines of new delivery delays Airbus Will Deliver Fewer New Planes This Year: Should Airlines be Worried? Company website, COMAC Closing scene, East Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai