In recent months, there has been growing buzz around AirAsia’s interest in the Chinese-built COMAC C919 jet. For years, most Southeast Asian airlines have relied heavily on Airbus and Boeing for their narrowbody fleets.
If AirAsia, one of the region’s dominant low-cost carriers, goes ahead and adds the C919, it could signal a shift in market dynamics that threatens the long-standing grip of those two giants.
Below, we examine what is known about AirAsia’s plans, how the C919 stacks up, what challenges remain, and how this might reshape airline competition in the ASEAN skies.
AirAsia’s Talk with COMAC
AirAsia has confirmed that it is in advanced discussions with COMAC for an unspecified number of C919 airplanes.
This is part of a broader fleet-expansion strategy. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke has noted that AirAsia and a new carrier, Air Borneo, have expressed interest in the C919.
While no formal order has been announced, the talks seem serious, and AirAsia is positioning itself to explore alternatives to Airbus and Boeing due to issues like delivery backlogs and cost.
The C919
The COMAC C919 is a single-aisle jet designed to compete with Airbus’s A320 series and Boeing’s 737 family. It can seat up to about 192 passengers and has a flying range of approximately 5,555 kilometers.
Some of its selling points are lower list prices and potentially lower operating costs, especially in markets where procurement cost, lead time, and delivery reliability are major factors.
Because Airbus and Boeing are struggling with supply chain disruptions, labor constraints, and longer deliver times, airlines like AirAsia are increasingly open to considering alternatives.
What Remains as Hurdles for the Deal?
Even though the interest is strong, there are significant hurdles that must be cleared before the C919 can make inroads in ASEAN beyond mere discussion or small fleet trials. One major obstacle is certification. The C919 currently operates under Chinese certification regimes.
To be fully acceptable in international markets, especially for routes into or out of Europe, or for airlines that uphold high safety or regulatory benchmarks, certifications from bodies such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or equivalent will be important.
Another issue is the support ecosystem: maintenance, spare parts, pilot training, and long-term reliability. Airlines need not just the aircraft but assurance of after-sales care, safety consistency, and compatibility with existing fleet operations.
Finally, although pricing may be more attractive, the risk factor (uncertainty over performance, resale value, resale market, regulatory approval) still plays into airlines’ decisions.
AirAsia might mitigate some risks by comparing pilot conversion between existing Airbus models and the C919.
What It Means for Airbus and Boeing
If AirAsia does purchase a sizable number of C919s, it could mark a turning point in the ASEAN aviation market. For Airbus and Boeing, such a move by a major regional carrier would erode part of their dominance in the narrow-body segment.
The established manufacturers might face increased pressure to improve lead times, reduce costs, and offer more flexible financing to maintain their competitive edge.
Airlines in Southeast Asia could feel more confident exploring diverse suppliers, which in turn could reduce dependency on the traditional duopoly.
Moreover, success by COMAC in one of the region’s most price-sensitive and route-dense carriers like AirAsia could encourage other airlines in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and beyond to evaluate the C919 or other COMAC aircraft.
In markets where the backlog of Airbus/Boeing deliveries is pushing expansion plans backward, the alternative of the C919 could seem increasingly attractive.
Wider Implications
Beyond the direct competition between manufacturers, there are broader implications around geopolitics, supply chains, economic ties, and national aviation policies.
China’s push to export the C919 ties into its broader Belt and Road Initiative ambitions and strengthening of trade, diplomatic, and aviation relationships with ASEAN countries.
Interest by airlines like AirAsia indicates that economic rationale (cost, delivery speed, accessibility) can sometimes outweigh historical loyalties or preferences.
There may also be downstream effects in terms of jobs, maintenance facilities, pilot training schools, and regulatory standards.
Success or failure of the AirAsia‑COMAC relationship could influence how governments craft aviation policy, bilateral agreements, and standards for safety and certification.
