COMAC C919 to Make Middle-East Debut at Dubai Airshow 2025

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China’s narrow-body single-aisle airliner, the COMAC C919, is headed to the Middle East for the first time — the aircraft will appear at the Dubai Airshow 2025 (Nov 17–21) as COMAC presses its international sales push and showcases the jet to a new group of potential customers. COMAC has already flown a C919 demonstrator into the UAE ahead of the show, and organisers list both the C919 and the smaller C909 on the event’s static and flying-display line-up.

What COMAC is showing in Dubai

COMAC plans to present multiple aircraft at Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum): reports say two C919s and one C909 will be on display, with the C919 operating as the centerpiece of its commercial-aircraft exhibit. The visit follows stops en route (social posts indicate a Dhaka stop) and arrives at a moment when COMAC is actively seeking buyers beyond China’s domestic market.

Why the Dubai appearance matters

1. Middle East outreach — The Gulf region is a critical aviation market with fast-growing carriers and large leasing houses. By showing the C919 in Dubai, COMAC aims to court airlines and lessors that historically have relied on Airbus and Boeing. Analysts see the Dubai Airshow as a strategic platform to demonstrate the jet’s capabilities to an international buying audience.

2. International credibility building — COMAC’s C919 entered service domestically and has been certified by Chinese authorities; exhibiting in Dubai is part of a broader campaign to normalise the jet outside China and press for acceptance even while Western regulator approvals (notably EASA) remain a multi-year process. In April the European regulator said EASA validation would likely take 3–6 years, underlining the certification gap COMAC must bridge before broad adoption in Europe.

3. Marketing & sales — COMAC hopes the airshow will generate leads for the C919 and future COMAC types (including the wide-body C929 and the regional C909). Presenting two C919s plus the C909 allows COMAC to show scale, cabin layouts and ground-support considerations to potential customers and partners.

Technical & commercial snapshot

• Type: Narrow-body, twin-engine single-aisle jet designed to compete with A320neo and Boeing 737-MAX families.

• Status: In commercial service in China; international sales and certification efforts underway.

• Suppliers: The C919 uses the LEAP-1C engine (GE-Safran CFM), with many other systems sourced from international suppliers — a point often cited in certification and supply-chain conversations.

Market and geopolitical considerations

COMAC’s global push is not only commercial but geopolitical. Presenting the C919 in Dubai signals Beijing’s intent to expand aerospace influence and offer an alternative to Western OEMs. However, many international airlines will await EASA (and potentially FAA) validation before committing to large international purchases — a process regulators say will take time. Until then, the C919 will likely find early customers among carriers willing to accept Chinese certification or those in markets with closer regulatory alignment.

What to watch at Dubai Airshow

• Will COMAC announce any MOU(s) or letters-of-intent with Middle East carriers or leasing companies?

• Which airframes (production or demonstrator) are displayed and whether COMAC stages any flying demonstrations.

• Any technical briefings or evidence offered by COMAC about fatigue life, ETOPS capability, long-term support and local maintenance arrangements.

• Reactions from Airbus, Boeing, engine suppliers and lessors at the show floor — and any counter-offers or strategic statements.