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By Bjorn Fehrm

March 27, 2025, © Leeham News: The COMAC C919 is finding its first customers outside China, which gives us reason to examine it and estimate how efficient it would be operating a typical mission compared to its Western competitors.

We will compare the C919ER version with a 3,000nm maximum range to “its look-a-like”, the A320neo, which served as the C919 design template.

Figure 1. The C919ER is analyzed using the Leeham Aircraft Performance and Cost Model (APCM). Source: Leeham Co.

Summary:

• The C919 consumes more fuel as the airframe is larger for the same seating capacity as the A320neo.
• Due to a lack of airframe maturity, the maintenance costs will also be higher.
• The big unknown will be the capital costs as the pricing or leasing strategy of a state-owned COMAC is hard to predict.